Porous pellets of TiO₂ can be reduced to titanium metal at the cathode of an electrochemical cell containing molten CaCl₂ as the electrolyte. When the TiO₂ is reduced, the O^2-ions dis-solve in the CaCl₂ and are subsequently oxidized to O₂ gas at the anode. This approach may be the basis for a less expensive process than the one currently used for producing titanium.
(a) Label the anode and cathode, and indicate the signs of the electrodes.

검증된 단계별 안내

Identify the cathode and anode in the electrochemical cell. The cathode is where reduction occurs, and the anode is where oxidation occurs.

In this process, TiO₂ is reduced to titanium metal at the cathode. Therefore, the cathode is the site of reduction.

The O^2- ions are oxidized to O₂ gas at the anode. Therefore, the anode is the site of oxidation.

In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is typically the negative electrode because it attracts cations (positive ions) and provides electrons for reduction.

Conversely, the anode is typically the positive electrode because it attracts anions (negative ions) and is the site where electrons are released during oxidation.

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주요 개념

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Electrochemical Cells

Electrochemical cells consist of two electrodes, the anode and cathode, where oxidation and reduction reactions occur. The anode is where oxidation takes place, losing electrons, while the cathode is where reduction occurs, gaining electrons. Understanding the flow of electrons and the reactions at each electrode is crucial for analyzing the cell's function.

Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. In the context of the electrochemical cell described, the TiO2 is reduced to titanium at the cathode, and the O2- ions are oxidized to O2 gas at the anode. Recognizing these processes is essential for identifying the roles of the electrodes in the cell.

Electrode Sign Convention

In electrochemical cells, the anode is conventionally assigned a positive sign in galvanic cells and a negative sign in electrolytic cells, while the cathode is the opposite. In this case, since the process involves electrolysis (reduction of TiO2), the cathode will be negative, and the anode will be positive. Understanding this convention helps in correctly labeling the electrodes.