Final answer:
No, the electrode in a galvanic cell does not have to be comprised of the same material as what is being deposited. Different materials can be used for the electrode based on the specific application, such as in electroplating or when using reference electrodes like the SHE.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether the electrode must be made of the same material as the substance being deposited in a galvanic cell.
The answer is no; the electrode material does not always have to match the material being deposited.
For example, in electroplating, a metal object is connected to the cathode and immersed in a solution of metal cations, resulting in a thin coating of the metal being deposited on the object.
The electrode in this case can be made of a different metal that serves as a cathode.
This is also the case in galvanic cells where a stable reference electrode, such as the Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE), is used to maintain a constant potential while the other electrode, the indicator electrode, is involved in the redox reactions related to the substance being analyzed or deposited.