In an electrochemical cell, oxidation always takes place at the

  • A. cathode
  • B. salt bridge
  • C. anode
  • D. voltmeter

Explanation

The anode is by definition the electrode at which oxidation occurs and reduction occurs at the cathode, and this holds for both galvanic and electrolytic cells. What changes between the two is the sign, since the anode is negative in a galvanic cell but positive in electrolysis. Remembering the definitions by process rather than by sign avoids the usual confusion.

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