What is the cathode in an electrochemical cell?

• A. The electrolyte
• B. The metallic path
• C. The place where metal is lost
• D. The place where electrons produced at the anode are consumed

Answer: (D)

The cathode is the electrode where reduction occurs. It’s the site where electrons flow into the cell and are used to reduce species in the electrolyte or to deposit metal onto the electrode. In any electrochemical cell, oxidation happens at the anode, generating electrons that travel through the external circuit to the cathode, where those electrons are consumed. For example, in a Daniell cell, zinc oxidizes at the anode, releasing electrons, while copper ions gain electrons at the copper cathode to become solid copper. The electrolyte is the ion-conducting solution, the metallic path is the external circuit, and the place where metal is lost refers to the anode, not the cathode.