What is the process in which ions are transferred through a membrane as a result of a direct electric current applied to the solution?

What is the process in which ions are transferred through a membrane as a result of a direct electric current applied to the solution?

• A. Electrodialysis
• B. Reverse osmosis
• C. Ion exchange
• D. Distillation

Answer: (A)

The process described involves the movement of ions across a membrane due to the influence of an electric current, which is known as electrodialysis. In this method, an electric field is applied across a solution that contains ionic species, causing cations to migrate towards the negative electrode (cathode) and anions to move towards the positive electrode (anode). This selective movement through ion exchange membranes helps to separate and concentrate ions from solutions, effectively purifying water or reducing salinity. In contrast, reverse osmosis relies on pressure rather than electric current to drive water through a semipermeable membrane, allowing water to pass while rejecting dissolved salts. Ion exchange involves the swapping of ions between a solution and a solid medium, but it does not utilize an electric current for the ion transfer. Distillation is a thermal separation process where components are separated based on differences in boiling points, not through ionic migration. Each of these processes operates on different principles and is used for various water treatment applications, highlighting the unique nature of electrodialysis in utilizing electric current for ion transfer.

The process described involves the movement of ions across a membrane due to the influence of an electric current, which is known as electrodialysis. In this method, an electric field is applied across a solution that contains ionic species, causing cations to migrate towards the negative electrode (cathode) and anions to move towards the positive electrode (anode). This selective movement through ion exchange membranes helps to separate and concentrate ions from solutions, effectively purifying water or reducing salinity.

In contrast, reverse osmosis relies on pressure rather than electric current to drive water through a semipermeable membrane, allowing water to pass while rejecting dissolved salts. Ion exchange involves the swapping of ions between a solution and a solid medium, but it does not utilize an electric current for the ion transfer. Distillation is a thermal separation process where components are separated based on differences in boiling points, not through ionic migration. Each of these processes operates on different principles and is used for various water treatment applications, highlighting the unique nature of electrodialysis in utilizing electric current for ion transfer.