Cathode is defined as which of the following?

Cathode is defined as which of the following?

• A. Positive electrode where reduction occurs
• B. Negative electrode where oxidation occurs
• C. Negative electrode where reduction occurs
• D. Positive electrode where oxidation occurs

Answer: (C)

The key idea is where reduction happens. Reduction means gaining electrons, so the electrode that accepts those electrons is the cathode. In electrolysis, the external power source pushes electrons into the cathode, making it the negative electrode, and at that site ions gain electrons and are reduced. That combination—cathode = site of reduction and, in electrolysis, the negative electrode—is why this option is the best fit. It’s also helpful to remember that in galvanic cells the cathode is the site of reduction too, but it sits as the positive electrode there; the universal rule is that reduction occurs at the cathode, with the sign of the electrode depending on the cell type.

The key idea is where reduction happens. Reduction means gaining electrons, so the electrode that accepts those electrons is the cathode. In electrolysis, the external power source pushes electrons into the cathode, making it the negative electrode, and at that site ions gain electrons and are reduced. That combination—cathode = site of reduction and, in electrolysis, the negative electrode—is why this option is the best fit. It’s also helpful to remember that in galvanic cells the cathode is the site of reduction too, but it sits as the positive electrode there; the universal rule is that reduction occurs at the cathode, with the sign of the electrode depending on the cell type.