Inert electrodes are which take electrons and active are with give out electrons.
An inert electrode is one which, during electrolysis, can suppy or withdraw electons from an electrolyte, and thereby promote chemical reactions without itself participating in any reaction.
A simple example is the electrolysis of acidulated water using platinum electrodes. At the cathode a reaction of this kind occurs, in which the Pt of the electrode plays no chemical part -
2(H+) + 2(e-) > H2
By contrast, the electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate solution with a copper anode includes this reaction at the anode -
Cu - 2(e-) > Cu++
metallic copper from the anode passes into solution as copper (II) ions. This electrode is not inert, since it participates in the chemical reaction.
