When an electric current is passed through a cell having an electrolyte, then the cations and anions move to their respective electrodes if the cathode is pulled out of the solution then

Options

A. Both cations and anions will move towards anode
B. cations will start moving towards anode while anions will stop moving
C. Anions will continue to move towards anode while cations will stop moving
D. Both cations and anions will starts moving randomly

Answer

To solve the question, we need to analyze the behavior of ions in an electrolytic cell when the cathode is pulled out of the solution. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the reasoning:

### Step 1: Understand the Electrolytic Cell
An electrolytic cell consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) immersed in an electrolyte. When an electric current is passed through the cell, cations (positively charged ions) move towards the cathode (negative electrode), and anions (negatively charged ions) move towards the anode (positive electrode).

**Hint:** Remember that cations are attracted to the cathode and anions are attracted to the anode due to opposite charges.

### Step 2: Identify the Role of the Cathode
The cathode is where reduction occurs, meaning cations gain electrons and are converted to neutral atoms or molecules. The anode is where oxidation occurs, meaning anions lose electrons.

**Hint:** Recall the processes occurring at each electrode: reduction at the cathode and oxidation at the anode.

### Step 3: Pulling the Cathode Out of the Solution
When the cathode is pulled out of the solution, the circuit is broken. This means that there is no longer a complete path for the electric current to flow. Consequently, the electrodes will not maintain their respective charges.

**Hint:** Think about what happens when the circuit is interrupted; it affects the movement of ions.

### Step 4: Effect on Ion Movement
With the cathode removed, there is no longer a negative charge to attract cations. Similarly, the anode will not maintain a positive charge without the current flowing through the circuit. As a result, the ions will no longer have a directed path to move towards. Instead, they will start to move randomly in the solution.

**Hint:** Consider the implications of a broken circuit on the movement of charged particles in the solution.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Since both the cations and anions will no longer be directed towards their respective electrodes, they will start moving randomly in the solution. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that both cations and anions will start moving randomly.

**Final Answer:** Option 4: Both cations and anions will start moving randomly.