Question

Why is an external source of electrical energy needed for the overall reaction in an electrolytic cell, even though the reaction equation does not include any electrons?

A) Electrons are generated internally in the cell.
B) The reaction is spontaneous and does not require energy.
C) To overcome the activation energy barrier.
D) To drive a non-spontaneous process and force the desired reaction to occur.
Please select the correct option.

Answer 1

D) To drive a non-spontaneous process and force the desired reaction to occur.

An external source of electrical energy is needed in an electrolytic cell to drive non-spontaneous processes through electrolysis, where an external voltage is applied to initiate a reaction that would not occur on its own.

Step-by-step explanation:

An external source of electrical energy is needed for the overall reaction in an electrolytic cell because the reactions involved are not spontaneous and require energy to proceed. The correct answer to the question is D) To drive a non-spontaneous process and force the desired reaction to occur.

Unlike a galvanic cell, where a spontaneous redox reaction generates electrical energy, an electrolytic cell uses an external voltage to drive a nonspontaneous reaction through electrolysis.

This source of electrons from the external power source is necessary to overcome the activation energy barrier and initiate a reaction that would not normally occur on its own.