In an electrolytic cell

Options

A. oxidation takes place at the negative electrode
B. reduction is spontaneous
C. reduction takes place at the positive electrode
D. reduction takes place at the negative electrode

Answer

D

Explanation

Electrodes are surfaces on which oxidation or reduction half-reactions occurs. They may or may not par-ticipate in the reactions. Those that do not react are called inert electrodes. Regardless of the kind of cell, electrolytic or voltaic, the electrodes are identified as follows:
The cathode is defined as the electrode at which reduction occurs as electrons are gained by some species. The anode is the electrode at which oxidation occurs as electrons are lost by same species.
Each of these can be either the positive or the negative elec-trode. The signs of the electrodes are opposite for the two kinds of cells. In a galvanic cell, the cathode is considered negative because it receives electrons from the external circuit, but in an electrolytic cell, the cathode is considered negative because electrons are pumped into it by the battery i.e. it is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell in which an electric current drives an otherwise nonspontaneous reaction. The process of producing a chemical change in an electrolytic cell is called electrolysis.