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The electrode at which a reduction reaction occurs.
Physics
A cathode is the element of an electron tube from which electrons flow. Back in the day, current was thought to be positive, but we understand things differently now. In the "old school" version, the cathode was the element into which positive charges flowed. But that's usually not what is taught for the simple reason that it's a classical physics approach and isn't at all as useful as the idea that the cathode is the element from which electrons leave to go to the plate.
In a two-element tube, the cathode has a compliment called the anode, or plate. Electrons flow from the cathode to the anode. Not the other way. There are tubes with three, four, and more elements, but they have these two basic elements.
Chemistry
The cathode is the electrode of a polarized electrical device, such as a galvanic cell, out of which positive electric current flows. In a battery like the one in a vehicle, the positive terminal is the cathode. The car battery, which is a lead-acid battery, also has an electrode that is the compliment to the cathode: the anode. It's the negative terminal of the battery, and positive electric current flows into this electrode.
The Wikipedia article on the cathode covers both the chemistry application of the term as well as the physics application, and a link is provided.
What else can I help you with?
Where does reduction occur in an electrochemical cell?
The cathode.
The anode in an electrochemical cell has this charge?
The Anode in electrochemical cell has negative charge (-ve).
Why cathode is positive in electrochemical cell but different in electrolytic cell?
In an electrochemical cell (galvanic cell), the cathode is positive because it is where reduction occurs, attracting cations from the electrolyte. Conversely, in an electrolytic cell, the cathode is negative because it is connected to the external power source, which forces electrons into the electrode, facilitating reduction at that terminal. Thus, the polarity of the cathode changes depending on the type of cell and the direction of the current flow.
What are the names of the 2 electrodes in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the two electrodes are called the anode and the cathode. The anode is where oxidation occurs, leading to the release of electrons, while the cathode is where reduction takes place, accepting those electrons. The flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode generates electric current.
Where do the electrons enter an electrochemical cell?
Electrons enter an electrochemical cell through the anode. The anode is where oxidation occurs, leading to the release of electrons that flow through the external circuit to the cathode.
Is the cathode negative in an electrochemical cell?
Yes, the cathode is negative in an electrochemical cell.
Where does reduction occur in an electrochemical cell?
The cathode.
Which electrode, the cathode or anode, is more positively charged in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is more positively charged than the anode.
How do cations flow to the cathode in an electrochemical cell?
Cations flow to the cathode in an electrochemical cell through the electrolyte solution, attracted by the negative charge of the cathode. This movement of cations allows for the transfer of electrons and the generation of electrical current in the cell.
What is the relationship between the cathode and anode in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is where reduction occurs, while the anode is where oxidation occurs. The cathode and anode are connected by an external circuit, allowing for the flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode. This flow of electrons generates an electric current in the cell.
Why is the cathode negative in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is negative because it attracts positively charged ions from the electrolyte solution, allowing for the flow of electrons and the generation of electrical current.
What is the function of the cathode and anode electrodes in an electrochemical cell?
The cathode electrode in an electrochemical cell is where reduction reactions occur, while the anode electrode is where oxidation reactions occur. These reactions generate an electric current in the cell.
The anode in an electrochemical cell has this charge?
The Anode in electrochemical cell has negative charge (-ve).
Is it cathode minus anode?
Yes, in an electrochemical cell, the cathode is the negative electrode and the anode is the positive electrode.
What is the relationship between the ecathode and eanode in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is where reduction occurs, while the anode is where oxidation occurs. The cathode and anode are connected by an external circuit, allowing the flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode. This flow of electrons generates an electric current in the cell.
What is the difference between anode and cathode in terms of their functions in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the anode is where oxidation occurs, releasing electrons. The cathode is where reduction occurs, accepting electrons. This creates a flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode, generating electrical energy.
What are the names of the 2 electrodes in an electrochemical cell?
In an electrochemical cell, the two electrodes are called the anode and the cathode. The anode is where oxidation occurs, leading to the release of electrons, while the cathode is where reduction takes place, accepting those electrons. The flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode generates electric current.
