Final answer:
In a voltaic cell, the anode loses electrons and is oxidized, while the cathode gains electrons and is reduced. The voltaic cell operates on a redox reaction, generating current as a result of electron transfer from the anode to the cathode, driven by a potential difference or voltage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a voltaic cell, the anode loses electrons and is oxidized, while the cathode gains electrons and is reduced.
Understanding Voltaic Cells
A voltaic cell is an electrochemical cell that uses a spontaneous redox reaction to produce electrical energy. It is constructed from two half-cells connected by a conductive wire and a salt bridge. Each half-cell contains an electrode immersed in an electrolyte. The anode is where the oxidation reaction, or loss of electrons, takes place, making it the negative electrode. Conversely, the cathode is where the reduction reaction, or gain of electrons, occurs; thus, it is the positive electrode. The flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode through the wire generates electrical current.
The potential difference, or voltage of the cell, is determined by the difference in reduction potentials of the two half-reactions. The electrode with the higher reduction potential becomes the cathode, where reduction takes place, and the one with lower reduction potential becomes the anode, where oxidation occurs.
Understanding the functions of the anode and cathode is essential in analyzing and constructing voltaic cells, which can be used to power various electrical devices.