Question

In the pictured cell, the side containing zinc is the ________ and the side containing copper is the ________. The purpose of the Na₂SO₄ is to ________.

1) anode, cathode, increase the conductivity
2) cathode, anode, increase the conductivity
3) anode, cathode, decrease the conductivity
4) cathode, anode, decrease the conductivity

Answer 1

The zinc side of the pictured cell is the anode, the copper side is the cathode, and the Na₂SO₄ serves to increase the conductivity of the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the cell described, zinc (Zn) is oxidized to zinc ions (Zn²⁺) at the anode, and copper ions (Cu²⁺) are reduced to copper metal (Cu) at the cathode. The purpose of the Na₂SO₄, in the form of a salt bridge, is to increase the conductivity of the cell and maintain electrical neutrality by allowing ions to migrate between the zinc and copper half-cells.

Therefore, the correct answer is: In the pictured cell, the side containing zinc is the anode and the side containing copper is the cathode. The purpose of the Na₂SO₄ is to increase the conductivity. So, the first option is correct.