What happens at the anode of an electrochemical cell?

In an electrochemical cell, the anode is the electrode where the process of oxidation occurs. During this chemical reaction, electrons are released by a substance and transferred to the electrode.12

While the specific electrical polarity of the anode can vary depending on whether the cell is consuming or generating energy, its fundamental role in a redox process remains consistent:

• Electron Transfer: The anode serves as the site where electrons are supplied to the external circuit.12
• Oxidation: Because oxidation involves the loss of electrons, the species being oxidized at the anode loses electrons to the electrode surface.123
• Ionic Interaction: In an electrolytic cell, negative ions (anions) migrate toward the anode, where they transfer electrons to the electrode to become neutral particles or new ions.2

In summary, the anode is defined by the occurrence of oxidation, acting as the terminal that facilitates the departure of electrons from the chemical system into the external circuit.415