In an aqueous electrolytic cell, nitrate ions never react at the anode, but nitrite ions do. This can be explain on the basis that in nitrate, nitrogen ion have highest oxidation number. It no longer lose the electron.
The anode is defined as the electrode from where the electricity moves into. The anode is usually the positive side.
The cathode is defined as the electrode from where the electricity is given out or flows out.
The cathode is negativity charged.
In nitrates, the oxidation number of Nitrogen ion is +5, on the other hand nitrites, the oxidation number of Nitrogen ion is +3, that's why it can be further oxidized and can increase its oxidation number. Nitrogen in nitrates do not react on the anode because they can no longer be oxidized, unlike nitrites.
Thus, we concluded that due to no longer ability to lose electron nitrate ion never react at the anode.
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