Which electrode is the site of reduction in a galvanic cell?

Which electrode is the site of reduction in a galvanic cell?

• A. The cathode
• B. The anode
• C. The electrolyte
• D. The inert electrode

Answer: (A)

Reduction means a species gains electrons. In a galvanic cell, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through the external circuit. At the anode, oxidation happens (loss of electrons). Those electrons then move to the cathode, where a species in the electrolyte accepts them and is reduced. That makes the cathode the site of reduction. For example, in a Zn–Cu cell, zinc oxidizes at the anode to Zn2+, while Cu2+ in solution gains electrons at the cathode to form copper metal. The electrolyte is just the ion-containing medium, and the inert electrode can serve as a surface for the redox reaction if the actual redox couple doesn’t involve the electrode material itself. Therefore, the cathode is the site of reduction.

Reduction means a species gains electrons. In a galvanic cell, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through the external circuit. At the anode, oxidation happens (loss of electrons). Those electrons then move to the cathode, where a species in the electrolyte accepts them and is reduced. That makes the cathode the site of reduction. For example, in a Zn–Cu cell, zinc oxidizes at the anode to Zn2+, while Cu2+ in solution gains electrons at the cathode to form copper metal. The electrolyte is just the ion-containing medium, and the inert electrode can serve as a surface for the redox reaction if the actual redox couple doesn’t involve the electrode material itself. Therefore, the cathode is the site of reduction.