In a message dated 12/13/00 7:31:49 AM EST, [email protected] writes: << Subj: Re: CS polarity (was CS and saline solutions) Date: 12/13/00 7:31:49 AM EST From: [email protected] (Ivan Anderson) Reply-to: [email protected] To: [email protected] Russ, The electrons leave the positive electrode (anode) via the power supply wire connection, electrons cannot travel in water. As electrons are sucked from the anode it becomes more positive than the cathode, to which the electrons travel. Electrons leaving the silver anode cause silver atoms to ionise and become positively charged ions (cations) and detach from the electrode. As they are now positively charged the cations travel towards the negatively charged cathode. Convention has the electrode at which oxidation occurs (removal of electrons) known as the anode. So in electrolysis the anode is positive but in galvanic cells (batteries) the anode is negative. A bit confusing, but... Regards Ivan. >>
Ivan: I think if you use my 'electron vacuum cleaner' analogy it's easy to distinguish between electrolysis and batteries. As I mentioned before, in electrolysis, a power supply PULLS the electrons off the anode. In a battery the electrochemical reaction at the anode SUPPLIES electrons so, in this case, it's the negative electrode. Note, however, that in both cases, oxidation takes place at the anode. In fact, that's why it's CALLED the anode. Of course, similar reasoning defines the cathode. Roger -- The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: [email protected] -or- [email protected] with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. To post, address your message to: [email protected] Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]>
