Final answer:
Electrons return to a dry cell through the positive terminal. They flow from the negative to the positive terminal, driven by differences in electrical potential, which leads to the generation of electric current in the connected circuit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electrons do return to a dry cell through the positive terminal. In a dry cell, which is a type of voltaic cell used in many common batteries, the electrolyte is in a paste form. Within such a cell, the flow of electrons is from the negative to the positive terminal. This flow is consistent with the principle of charge conservation in a closed circuit, which dictates that the number of electrons entering the battery should equal the number of electrons leaving the battery. This conservation of charge ensures a steady flow of electric current when the terminals are connected by a conducting wire.
Direct and Alternating Current principles illustrate that, like water flowing from high to low elevation, free electrons travel from the low-potential terminal (negative) to the high-potential terminal (positive). This movement is driven by differences in electrical potential between the two terminals. When the terminals are connected by a conductor, an electric current is formed as electrons move through the wire from the negative terminal to reach the positive terminal of the battery.