What is the Difference Between Active and Inert Electrodes?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between active and inert electrodes lies in their participation in the chemical reactions occurring within an electrochemical cell. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Active Electrodes:
- Actively participate in the chemical reactions occurring in the electrochemical cell.
- Can be oxidized or reduced.
- Commonly used in electroplating, where one metal is applied to another metal using an electrolytic solution.
- Examples include copper electrodes.
- Inert Electrodes:
- Do not actively participate in the chemical reactions occurring in the electrochemical cell.
- Serve as a conduit for electron transfer between the solution and the external circuit.
- Used in electrolysis, where an electric current is passed through an ionic solution to produce a chemical reaction.
- Examples include platinum and graphite electrodes.
In summary, active electrodes are involved in the chemical reactions within an electrochemical cell, while inert electrodes do not participate in these reactions but facilitate electron transfer between the solution and the external circuit.
Comparative Table: Active vs Inert Electrodes
Here is a table comparing the differences between active and inert electrodes:
| Active Electrode | Inert Electrode |
|---|---|
| Participates in the chemical reaction | Does not participate in the chemical reaction |
| Can be oxidized or reduced | No oxidation or reduction reactions occur |
| Conducts electricity through ion exchange | Conducts electricity by transferring electrons with the solution, but without participating in any chemical reaction |
| Common active electrode materials include copper | Common inert electrode materials include platinum and graphite |
| Used in electroplating | Used in electrolysis |
| Electrode can lose or gain mass (e.g., anode losing mass, cathode gaining mass) | Electrode does not lose or gain mass |
In summary, active electrodes participate in chemical reactions and can be oxidized or reduced, while inert electrodes do not participate in chemical reactions and maintain their composition. Active electrodes are commonly used in electroplating, while inert electrodes are used in electrolysis.
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- Electrode vs Electrolyte
- Indicator Electrode vs Reference Electrode
- Electrophoretic Deposition vs Electrodeposition
- Electrode Potential vs Cell Potential
- Ionization vs Electrolysis
- Electrochemical Cell vs Electrolytic Cell
- Active vs Inactive Ingredients
- Anode vs Cathode
- Electroforming vs Electroplating
- Noble Gas vs Inert Gas
- Electrolyte vs Electrolysis
- Anodic vs Cathodic Polarization
- Single Electrode Potential vs Standard Electrode Potential
- Ionic vs Electrostatic Interactions
- Metallic vs Electrolytic Conduction
- Electroplating vs Electrolysis
- Electrophoresis vs Dielectrophoresis
- Electropositive vs Electronegative