What is the role of a cathode in a galvanic cell?

In a galvanic cell, the cathode is defined as the electrode where reduction occurs. This process involves the gain of electrons, which takes place at the cathode as the result of the oxidation-reduction reactions that drive the cell's operation. When a galvanic cell is functioning, electrons flow from the anode, through the external circuit, to the cathode. At the cathode, these incoming electrons are used to reduce some species (often a metal ion), thus playing a crucial role in the cell's electrochemical reaction.

Understanding the role of the cathode is fundamental to grasp how batteries and electrochemical cells function, as it is essential for the cell to generate electrical energy through the chemical reactions that take place at the electrodes. In contrast, oxidation, the process of losing electrons, occurs at the anode, reinforcing the significance of the cathode as the site of electron acceptance and reduction. The electrolyte serves as a medium for ion transfer and is not the functional aspect of the cathode itself, further highlighting the uniqueness of the cathode's role in the galvanic setup.