Final answer:
In galvanic cells, the half-reaction with the more positive reduction potential occurs at the cathode, which is the positive electrode, while the anode is the site of oxidation and is the negative electrode.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. In galvanic cells, the half-reaction that has the more positive reduction potential becomes the reduction process at the cathode. This is due to the fact that a more positive reduction potential indicates a greater tendency for a species to gain electrons and be reduced. Hence, the electrode with the more positive reduction potential is designated as the cathode and is the positive electrode in the electrochemical cell.
Conversely, the half-reaction with the less positive (or more negative) reduction potential undergoes oxidation at the anode. The anode is the electrode where oxidation occurs, and it is the negative electrode in the cell. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit.
Overall, in a galvanic cell setup:
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- The anode is the site of oxidation, where electrons are lost.
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- The cathode is the site of reduction, where electrons are gained.
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- The anode is the negative electrode, and the cathode is the positive electrode.
The standard cell potential of a galvanic cell can be calculated by taking the difference between the cathode and anode potentials under standard conditions. If the cell potential is positive, this indicates that the redox reaction is spontaneous, and the cell can perform work.