Why is the electrolyte in a cell necessary?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the necessity of electrolytes in electrochemical cells, specifically addressing the relationship between electron flow and ion movement within the cell. Participants explore the mechanisms that allow for steady voltage generation and the interdependence of these processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why ions need to flow across the electrolyte if electrons can flow from the anode to the cathode, suggesting that charge flow should be independent of ion movement.
  • Another participant proposes that electrons require a conductive medium to propagate, implying that without such a medium, electrons cannot move effectively between electrodes.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that charges cannot exist in isolation, arguing that positive ions are necessary to recombine with electrons, which contributes to voltage generation.
  • One participant uses the analogy of a charged capacitor to illustrate that electron flow requires a sufficient potential difference, indicating that resistance plays a critical role in the flow of electrons.
  • The same participant mentions that the electrolyte creates a low enough resistance to facilitate electron flow, drawing parallels with the operation of a spark plug.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and role of electrolytes in the flow of charge, with no consensus reached on the exact mechanisms involved or the independence of electron and ion movement.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about charge behavior and the nature of conductivity, which may not be universally accepted or fully explored in the discussion.

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If electrons always flows from an area of high density to low density, why is it necessary for the ions in a cell to flow across the electrolyte as well. It seems that charge should be able to flow from the anode to the cathode without the need of these ions flowing as well. Why are these two processes mutually dependent on one another to create a steady voltage?
 
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Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
I just now saw this thread, Radaballer.
If I understand your question correctly, it's because electrons can't "jump". ie: they need a conductive medium in which to "propagate" like billiard balls from one electrode to the other. Space in between would act as an insulator. (In the case of the somewhat misnamed "cathode ray" tube like in a TV, they are violently accelerated by an external voltage source rather than just seeking an electrical balance as in a battery.)
That's not a great explanation, I know, but for now it's the best that I can do with my limited scientific vocabulary.
 
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radaballer said:
If electrons always flows from an area of high density to low density, why is it necessary for the ions in a cell to flow across the electrolyte as well. It seems that charge should be able to flow from the anode to the cathode without the need of these ions flowing as well. Why are these two processes mutually dependent on one another to create a steady voltage?
Charges don't exist in isolation: in order to have a negative charge you have to start with a neutral charge and separate it into positive and negative. The positive ions exist to be re-combined with the electrons -- the attraction between them is what generates the voltage.
 
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Apologies if this is a bit basic, but I will put it another way.

Electrons don't flow in isolation. A charged capacitor is a good example of two different electron densities very close to each other but unable to flow. Thus the capacitor stores the electrons as a potential charge.

A spark plug is also worth thinking about here. Until the difference in potential between the contacts is sufficient no electrons will flow. (When it is sufficient, 10s of thousands of volts, a spark is created).

In both cases the resistance is too large for the electrons to flow at battery voltages.

Both the spark plug and the capacitor would allow the flow of electrons if we were to wire up a resistor between the contacts. The electrolyte does exactly that - creates a resistance that is sufficiently low enough for electrons to flow.
 
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