Question

Im having trouble on a question Im not sure what it is they are asking for.

A voltaic cell similar to that shown in Figure 20.5 is constructed. One electrode compartment consists of a silver strip placed in a solution of AgNO3, and the other has a iron strip placed in a solution of FeCl2. The overall cell reaction is given below.

2 Ag+(aq) + Fe(s) 2 Ag(s) + Fe2+(aq)


a)Which electrode is the anode, and which is the cathode.
anode


wouldn't the Ag be the anode because it is losing electrons and the Fe be the cathode???

Answer 1

The Ag electrode gains electrons doesn't it. Ag^+ + e ==> Ag
You may be confusing yourself because you have no arrow to show the products versus the reactants. ALWAYS place an arrow in an equation. It isn't an equation without one.

Answer 2

oh ok i see! thanks!

Answer 3

i have a follow up question:

In which directions do the cations and anions migrate through the solution?


toward the silver cathode ? or
toward the iron cathode ?

so do the anions(Fe)migrate to the silver? and cations toward the iron? there is a diagram that goes along with this and im not sure if you need to look at it to solve this problem

Answer 4

The Fe electrode is the anode and negatively charged. The Ag electrode is the cathode and positively charged. I would like to see the diagram but there is no way to do that.
This diagram may help. Note the direction of the K^+ and the NO3^- from the KNO3 salt bridge.
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Voltaic_Cells