Which electrode is associated with reduction in an electrochemical cell?

In an electrochemical cell, the electrode where reduction occurs is the cathode. Reduction is defined as the gain of electrons, and at the cathode, a species accepts electrons, leading to a decrease in its oxidation state.

During the operation of the cell, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through the external circuit. The anode is associated with oxidation, where a species loses electrons. Meanwhile, at the cathode, the reduction half-reaction takes place, allowing for the conversion of ions or molecules into a more reduced form. This process is essential in generating the electric current that is harnessed from the electrochemical reactions.

While it's important to understand the role of both electrodes in the functioning of an electrochemical cell, it is specifically the cathode that is designated as the site of reduction. This distinction is fundamental to understanding how redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions are balanced and how electrochemical cells operate overall.