The Mechanism of Electrolytic Conduction

The mechanism of the passage of direct current tlirough a conductor of the second class which is connected with a migration of ions and chemical reactions on electrodes can be most easily explained by an example. Let us imagine a vessel with two indifferent platinum electrodes A and C electrically connected to a source of direct current B and immersed into an aqueous solution of common salt in water (Fig. 1.). 

Conventionally the direction of the current flow B (+) — A — C — B (—) is considered as positive. The direction of negative current which is identical with the movement of electrons is opposite, thus B (—) — C — A — - B (-)-). From the theoretical point of view it is more correct to consider the direction of current according to the flow of electrons. 

The electrons enter the solution from the source through the electrode C called the cathode, which is connected to the 

At the moment, when, due to this reaction, two electrons are consumed at the cathode an equal number of electrons is set free at the other electrode (the anode) by two chloride ions yielding one electron each whereby they are transformed into two chlorine atoms. The electrons so set free then return through the outer conductor from the electrode to the source of the current, while nascent chlorine atoms combine in pairs to form molecules of gaseous chlorine which escape into the atmosphere. The anodic reaction can thus be written as  

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Define electrolysis. What is the mechanism of electrolytic conductivity How does it differ from electronic conductivity ... 

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