[T]

Hello,

For galvanic cell, the electrode with a lower E° will be oxidised while the electrode with a higher E° will be reduced.

Does the E° determine whether a electrode will oxidise or reduce in a electrolytic cell? Since the power supply will draw electrons from one electrode and deposit it in another, the E° shouldn't matter is what I think.

Thanks

[Borek]

E° tells at what potential reaction goes, it doesn't say which way it goes. It can go spontaneously one way, or we can force it - by external source - to go another way.

[T]

Is there a requirement in a electrolytic cell for which terminal of an power supply the electrode will need to be connected for it to work?

ie. The lower E° of the 2 electrodes will need to be connected to the positive terminal of the power supply otherwise the cell will not work.

Thanks

[PhotoElectroMaterials]

I think you may be confused between electrolytic cell and galvanic cell.  The E° is very important for a galvanic cell where spontaneous reactions will produce current.  In an electrolytic cell you are carrying out the reaction by supplying external power.  Hence the E° is not important if you supply enough energy.  For ex. you can even deposit copper (E°=0.34V) on zinc (E°=-0.76V) in an electrolytic cell by connecting copper to the positive terminal (anode) and supplying sufficient potential.