Hydrated electrons: What are hydrated or solvated electrons?
Answer: These hydrated or solvated electrons are free electrons but for the fact that in the water they are held captive by the water molecules. Electrons are of a negative polarity and for that reason water molecules being di-polar orientate their positive hydrogen atoms toward these electrons to neutralise the overall charge. Hydrated electrons are produced during the oxidation process when the bulk silver anode is subjected to a high voltage and low current potential. In that process where silver atoms are removed, an electron is lost making the silver atom a cation with a positive charge.