Which process occurs at the cathode in an electrochemical cell?

In an electrochemical cell, the cathode is defined as the electrode at which reduction occurs. This is because, during the electrochemical reactions, the cathode is where electrons are gained by the species present, leading to the reduction of those species.

Electrolytes in the cell facilitate the movement of ions, allowing for the reduction of cations that migrate towards the cathode. For example, if a metal cation is reduced at the cathode, it gains electrons to become a neutral metal atom. This is a fundamental concept in both galvanic (voltaic) cells, where spontaneous reactions take place to generate electrical energy, and electrolytic cells, where external energy drives non-spontaneous reactions.

To understand the cathodic process further, consider how this contrasts with oxidation, which occurs at the anode, where species lose electrons. Thus, reduction at the cathode is a key feature of how electrochemical cells operate, completing the overall redox reactions that generate electrical current.