Which statement best describes the overall electrode behavior in a simple electrolytic process?

• A. Anode is positive, oxidation occurs; cathode is negative, reduction occurs
• B. Anode is negative, oxidation occurs; cathode is positive, reduction occurs
• C. Both electrodes are positive
• D. Both electrodes are negative

Answer: (A)

In an electrolytic process, an external power source drives a non-spontaneous reaction, so the electrode connected to the positive terminal becomes the anode and is the site of oxidation (electrons are released). The electrode connected to the negative terminal becomes the cathode and is the site of reduction (electrons are gained). This arrangement makes the anode positive and the cathode negative, with oxidation occurring at the anode and reduction at the cathode. The other possibilities would require the wrong electrode charges or contradict the way external energy forces the reaction, which is not how electrolytic cells operate.