Question

A cell is prepared by dipping a copper rod in 1 M CuSO4 solution and an iron rod in 2 M FeSO4 solution. What are the cathode and anode respectively?

(a) Cathode: Iron, Anode: Copper

(b) Cathode: Copper, Anode: Iron

(c) Cathode: Iron, Anode: Iron

(d) Cathode: Copper, Anode: Copper

I got this question in an interview.

This is a very interesting question from Electrochemistry in chapter Electrochemistry of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) Cathode: Copper, Anode: Iron

For explanation I would say: The given cell is represented as:

Fe (s) | FeSO4 (2 M) || CuSO4 (1 M) | Cu (s)

Since the E° of iron < E° of copper, copper rod acts as the cathode and iron rod acts as the anode.