Chemistry
Chemistry
Problem
State at which electrode—anode or cathode—oxidation takes place in any electrochemical cell.Intuitive explanation
Oxidation always happens at the anode, regardless of whether you're looking at a galvanic cell or an electrolytic cell. The key is remembering that oxidation means losing electrons, and the anode is defined as the electrode where electrons are released into the circuit. Think of it this way: electrons flow away from the anode through the external circuit, which is only possible if oxidation is stripping them from the species at that electrode.
Intuitive explanation
Oxidation always happens at the anode, regardless of whether you're looking at a galvanic cell or an electrolytic cell. The key is remembering that oxidation means losing electrons, and the anode is defined as the electrode where electrons are released into the circuit. Think of it this way: electrons flow away from the anode through the external circuit, which is only possible if oxidation is stripping them from the species at that electrode.