Electrolytic cells/standard electrode potentials

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bohojekek
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Electrolytic cells/standard electrode potentials

Post by bohojekek »

My understanding of determining overall cell potential for an electrolytic cell is that the metal with more negative potential acts as a reducing agent, undergoing oxidation.
In the Cl, Mg electrolytic cell diagram, how come Cl is the anode despite having a reduction potential of +1.36V, more than Mg with -2.36V? Shouldn’t Mg oxidise as it is more negative? Is this rule different for electrolytic cells?
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Cl, Mg electrolytic cell
Cl, Mg electrolytic cell
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ChenBeier
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Re: Electrolytic cells/standard electrode potentials

Post by ChenBeier »

In an electrolytical cell a voltage is forced from a power supply to the cell. The plus electrode is the anode, because the negative chloride ions travel to it and loose the electrons there, chloride get oxidised. On cathode side magnesium is positiv and travel to it because its negative electrode. Mg gain the electrons and ger reduced. The electro potential is only important to know the voltage to over come it, so the reaction can takes place,
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