18-26. Positive and negative electrodes are connected to the two terminals of a

Question

18-26. Positive and negative electrodes are connected to the two terminals of a battery and dipped into a tank containing a solution of sodium chloride (table salt) in water. This means there are eqnal numbers of positive sodium ions and negative chloride ions in the water. When the electrodes are dipped into opposite ends of the tank, a current flows between them. Sup- pose we could chemically remove all the chloride ions, leaving the number of sodium ions the same as before. When the elec- trodes are dipped into the tank as before, it would produce a current greater than the current that occurred with both kinds of ions present; a current equal to that current; a current less than that current but not zero; no current at all). Briefly explain

Explanation / Answer

Previously when both kinds of ions were present, the negative ions move towards the positive terminal, and the positive ions move towards the negative terminal. This is because the system wants to neutralize the charges. The motion of the ions is what that causes a current in the solution.

If we remove the chloride ions, the positive ions will move towards the negative side of the terminal and neutralize it. So it will not sustain any current flow.

hence: No current at all

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