ATTENTION COBLIN

[Mao]

In a fuel cell, where the net flow of H+ is to the right, and the flow of electrons in the external circuit is also to the right [anode on the left, cathode on the right], which way does the anion electrolyte flow... if at all?

to fellow 2008 ex-chem students [win!], question 8, b.

[shinny]

Oh crap, now that you mention this question, I think I actually skipped it altogether and forgot to go back and do it since you had to draw on the actual diagram o_O Uh oh.

[riadnicolas]

yeh i pointed it towards the cathode assuming that the negatively charged h2po4 was going to the be attracted to the +

[Collin Li]

Anions flow to the anode, to replace the loss of negative charge. (Like in a salt bridge)

[Synesthetic]

I also assumed H2PO4- flow would oppose the electron flow, hence right-to-left on the diagram.

[Mao]

thanks coblin

[Mao]

WAIT

there is no electrostatic build-up of charges at the anode though... as the products (H+ from H2) are continuously migrating towards the cathode... doesn't that do the same thing as anions migrating towards the anode?

there is a limited amount of anode, if it does indeed move towards the anode, wouldn't the fuel cell eventually "go flat" when the electrolyte is depleted?

I have a feeling that they don't move at all.

[Pandemonium]

Anions flow to the anode, to replace the loss of negative charge. (Like in a salt bridge)

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