In an ionic solution, what is the direction of the electric current relative to the movement of cations and anions?

• A. The current flows in the same direction as the movement of cations and opposite to the movement of anions.
• B. The current does not depend on the movement of ions in the solution.
• C. The current flows in the opposite direction to the movement of cations and in the same direction as anions.
• D. The current flows in the same direction as both cations and anions.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electric current in an ionic solution is due to the movement of charged particles, specifically ions, which carry charge through the solution.
2. Recall that cations are positively charged ions and anions are negatively charged ions, so their movement contributes differently to the direction of current.
3. Remember that by convention, electric current is defined as the flow of positive charge. Therefore, the direction of current is the same as the direction of movement of positive charges (cations).
4. Since anions carry negative charge, their movement in one direction corresponds to positive charge moving in the opposite direction, so the current flows opposite to the movement of anions.
5. Combine these ideas to conclude that the electric current flows in the same direction as cations and opposite to anions in an ionic solution.