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Question
Why is anode in galvanic cell considered to be negative and cathode positive electrode?
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Solution
A galvanic cell works basically in reverse to an electrolytic cell. The anode is the electrode where oxidation takes place, in a galvanic cell, it is the negative electrode, as when oxidation occurs, electrons are left behind on the electrode.
The anode is also the electrode where metal atoms give up their electrons to the metal and go into solution. The electron left behind on it renders it effectively negative and the electron flow goes from it through the wire to the cathode.
Positive aqueous ions in the solution are reduced by the incoming electrons on the cathode. This is why the cathode is a positive electrode because positive ions are reduced to metal atoms there.
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