How do redox reactions produce electric current in batteries?

In an electrochemical cell, such as a battery, electric current is produced by spatially separating the two halves of an oxidation-reduction reaction—the oxidation (loss of electrons) and the reduction (gain of electrons)—into separate compartments.123

The process functions as follows:

• Electron Transfer: At the anode, a reducing agent undergoes oxidation, releasing electrons. These electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit to reach the cathode, creating the flow of electric current that powers devices.145
• Reduction: At the cathode, an oxidizing agent accepts these electrons, undergoing reduction.15
• Circuit Completion: To maintain the flow of electricity, the internal circuit must be completed by an electrolyte. Ions within the electrolyte migrate between the compartments to balance the charge, ensuring the system remains electrically neutral as the chemical reaction proceeds.142

This conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy is governed by the laws of Faraday, where the amount of current produced is directly proportional to the chemical changes occurring at the electrodes.42