Chapter 17: Problem 73

What is different about electric current in metals compared with current in electrolyte solutions?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The difference between electric current in metals and electrolyte solutions is that in metals, electric current is due to the motion of free electrons, while in electrolyte solutions, electric current is due to the motion of both positive and negative ions. Moreover, the motion of charge carriers are directed in metals, while it is random due to Brownian motion in electrolyte solutions.

Step by step solution

Understanding Electric Current in Metals

In metals, electric current is caused by the motion of free electrons. This motion of electrons from one end of the conductor to the other due to a potential difference between the ends is called as electric current.

Understanding Electric Current in Electrolyte Solutions

In the case of electrolyte solutions, the electric current is carried by both positive and negative ions present in the solutions. When a potential difference is applied, cations move towards the negatively charged electrode (cathode) and anions move towards the positively charged electrode (anode). This movement of ions in the electrolyte solution constitutes electric current.

Comparing Electric Current in Metals and Electrolyte Solutions

The major difference between electric current in metals and electrolyte solutions is that in metals, the current is carried only by one type of charge carriers, the negatively charged electrons, while in electrolyte solutions, the current is carried by both cations and anions, i.e., two types of charge carriers. Also, in metals, the charge carriers move in a directed manner, while in solutions, they move randomly due to Brownian motion.

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What is different about electric current in metals compared with current in electrolyte solutions?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Electric Current in Metals

Understanding Electric Current in Electrolyte Solutions

Comparing Electric Current in Metals and Electrolyte Solutions

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