Question

Explain why the cathode is of positive polarity in a galvanic cell.

Answer 1

At the cathode, a reduction reaction takes place; positive ions (like Cu²⁺) from the solution gain electrons and are deposited as metal.

Example: \[\ce{Cu^2+ + 2e- -> Cu}\]

Since the cathode consumes electrons, electrons flow toward it from the anode. This makes the cathode electron-deficient and thus assigned a positive polarity.