In an electrochemical cell, where does oxidation occur?

In an electrochemical cell, oxidation occurs at the anode. This is due to the fundamental definitions of electrochemical reactions, where oxidation is the process of losing electrons. In the context of an electrochemical cell, the anode is specifically the electrode where this oxidation reaction takes place.

When a substance undergoes oxidation at the anode, it releases electrons, which then flow through the external circuit towards the cathode, where reduction occurs (the process of gaining electrons). This electron flow is essential for creating an electric current, which is the primary function of the electrochemical cell.

Recognizing this distinction between the anode and cathode is crucial for understanding electrochemical processes. The anode is then defined by the substance that is being oxidized in the specific half-reaction occurring there, while the reverse process, reduction, takes place at the cathode. This overall understanding ties together the movement of electrons and the chemical changes happening at each electrode in an electrochemical cell.