Another electrolysis qns

Question

In a simple cell, single beaker, no salt bridge ,

the more reactive metal will become the negative electrode and the less reactive one will be the positive electrode.

Is it true that the cations will be attracted to the less reactive metal?

will anything happen to the more reactive metal, as in will there be gas evoked or solids form?

eg, zince and iorn electrode, diluted copper sulphate solution.

Answer 1

Zinc and iron will both go into solution and copper will plate out on each of them.

Zn(s) + Cu2+ --> Zn2+ + Cu(s)

Fe(s) + Cu2+ --> Fe2+ + Cu(s)

As Fe2+ ions are produced in solution they will be reduced by the more active zinc metal and iron metal will plate out on the zinc along with the copper.

Zn(s) + Fe2+ --> Zn2+ + Fe(s)