Redox processes: 9.40 - Making electricity

The discovery of electrical cells by Voltaire in the eighteenth century was one of the major scientific achievements of the millenium. Nowadays electrical cells are used in thousands of devices and applications. This section looks at the basic principles behind these electrochemical cells.

Syllabus reference

Reactivity 3.2.5 - Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode in electrochemical cells.

Identify electrodes as anode and cathode, and identify their signs/polarities in voltaic cells and electrolytic cells, based on the type of reaction occurring at the electrode.

Guidance

Tools and links

In Chapter 9.4

9.41 - Electrical cells
9.42 - Reactions at the electrodes