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electrolysis- chemistry

I am trying to revise electrolysis but I am stuck on why the cathode gains mass? I thought the cathode was the negative electrode so the anions would be reduced and gain electrons however surely that means the cathode would lose mass as the anions gain its electrons... PLEASE HELP!!!
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Original post by eleanorpeck02
I am trying to revise electrolysis but I am stuck on why the cathode gains mass? I thought the cathode was the negative electrode so the anions would be reduced and gain electrons however surely that means the cathode would lose mass as the anions gain its electrons... PLEASE HELP!!!


cathode is negative electrode where reduction occurs.
example for any metal M
M2+ gains electrons at cathode, gets reduced and forms M metal. thus mass of cathode increases and that of anode decreases in some cases.
thank you for the help!

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