Components of a Galvanic Cell

Half-cells  - One half of the galvanic cell (e.g. the oxidation half-cell or the reduction half-cell).

Anode - Electrode at which oxidation takes place.

Cathode - Electrode at which reduction takes place.

Salt Bridge - Connecting the two half-cells.

The cations, positive ions, flow toward the cathode to replace the cations that are being picked up at the electrode.

The anions, negative ions, flow toward the anode to balance the positive charge of the cations that are released from the electrode.

A device to detect the amount of current flowing through the cell (in volts).

• A battery is an example of a galvanic cell.


What's Happening in the Galvanic Cell Above??

• The zinc electrode is losing mass as Zn metal is oxidized to Zn²⁺ ions which go into solution.
• The concentration of the Zn²⁺ solution is increasing.
• Anions, negative ions (e.g. Cl^-), are flowing from the salt bridge toward the anode to balance the positive charge of the Zn²⁺ ions produced.
• The copper electrode is gaining mass as Cu²⁺ ions in the solution are reduced to Cu metal.
• The concentration of the Cu²⁺ solution is decreasing.
• Cations, positive ions (e.g. K⁺), are flowing from the salt bridge toward the cathode to replace the positive charge of the Cu²⁺ ions that consumed.
Remember the following:

RED CAT  & AN OX

REDuction occurs at the CAThode     (notice that both redution and cathode start with a consonant)

OXidation occurs at the ANode   (notice that both oxidation and anode start with a vowel)
 
 
Next:  "Electrolytic Cells"