When current is applied to an electrolyte, what happens to a positive ion?

• A. It is attracted to the cathode
• B. It is attracted to the anode
• C. It loses electrons
• D. It becomes a molecule

Answer: (A)

When current is applied to an electrolyte, positive ions move toward the electrode that is negatively charged—the cathode. Opposite charges attract, so cations are drawn to the cathode, where they gain electrons from the circuit (are reduced) to become neutral atoms or molecules. This is why the positive ion is attracted to the cathode. It wouldn’t be attracted to the anode, where oxidation would occur, and simply becoming a molecule isn’t guaranteed just by moving to the electrode.