In a chemical electrolytic cell, does the cathode lose electrons or does the anode lose electrons?

Answer:

The anode loses electrons.

Knowledge popularization:

The following tips can be kept in mind for the respective reactions of the anode and cathode of the electrolytic cell.

Sixteen-character key:

Yin gains and Yang loses: during electrolysis, the cathode gains electrons and carries out reduction reaction, while the anode loses electrons and carries out oxidation reaction;

Yin is refined and Yang is coarse: in the process of copper smelting, refined copper is used as cathode, crude copper is used as anode, and finally the anode is gradually dissolved to produce anode mud;

Anion-base-cation acid: after electrolytic reaction, the oxyacid salt of inactive metal will generate acid at the anode, while the anaerobic acid salt of active metal will generate alkali at the cathode;

After the electrolytic reaction, the cathode produces solid and reducing gas, while the anode produces strong oxidizing gas.