Question

What happens at the cathode

Answer 1

At the cathode in an electrolytic cell, ions in the surrounding solution are reduced into atoms, which precipitate or plate out on to the solid cathode. The anode is where oxidation takes place, and the cathode is where reduction takes place.

Answer 2

At the cathode in an electrolytic cell, ions in the surrounding solution are reduced into atoms, which precipitate or plate out on to the solid cathode. The anode is where oxidation takes place, and the cathode is where reduction takes place. The anode is defined as the electrode where oxidation occurs. The cathode is the electrode where reduction takes place. ... At the cathode, the metal ion in the solution will accept one or more electrons from the cathode, and the ion's oxidation state will reduce to 0. This forms a solid metal that deposits on the cathode.