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Electrodes - Definition, Factors, Types, Uses, FAQs

Electrodes - Definition, Factors, Types, Uses, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:30 PM IST

What is Electrode and Examples of Electrodes?

Electrode Definition: Electrode meaning is a point where current enters or leaves the electrolyte or circuit is referred to as an electrode. The cathode is where the current departs the electrode, while the anode is where the current enters the electrode. Electrodes are the basic building blocks of electrochemical cells. A good conductor of electricity is required for an electrode. Although there are inert electrodes that do not participate in the process. Gold, platinum, carbon, graphite, metal, and other materials can be used as electrodes. In the cells, the electrode provides a surface for oxidation-reduction reactions.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is Electrode and Examples of Electrodes?
  2. Types of electrodes
  3. Active Electrode
  4. Inert Electrode
  5. Cathode and Anode in Electrochemical cells
  6. Factors Affecting Products of Electrolysis
  7. Uses of electrodes

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Types of electrodes

There are two types of electrodes: active electrodes and inert electrodes. Active electrode materials are those that participate in the chemical process in the cell and can dissolve in the electrolyte. Copper electrodes, silver electrodes, zinc electrodes, copper electrodes, and so on are examples of reactive electrodes. These are mostly employed in potentiometric measurements.

Active Electrode

In electrochemical cells, the active electrode is a metal electrode. It takes part in the electrolyte's processes in order to transmit the power. It is possible to oxidize or decrease the active electrode. Electroplating is the most common application for active electrodes. Electroplating is the process of applying one metal to another metal using an electrochemical cell. A spoon, for example, can be silver-plated by employing a silver anode and the spoon as the cathode, with silver nitrate as the electrolyte. The active electrode gets its name from the fact that it actively participates in the chemical reaction that takes place in the system. It actively exchanges ions with an electrolytic solution as a result.

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Inert Electrode

A metal that does not participate in or interfere with any chemical reaction is known as an inert electrode. However, rather of exchanging ions with the solution, it is still employed to conduct electricity via transferring electrons. As a result, it functions as an electron. As an inert electrode, platinum is employed. However, graphite is commonly used because to its low cost. However, graphite is commonly used because to its low cost. In the process of conducting electricity, an inert electrode can provide or withdraw electrons. Electrolysis, the process of separating an ionic compound into its constituent elements, always uses inert electrodes. When sodium chloride solution is electrolyzed, sodium and chlorine are produced individually.

Cathode and Anode in Electrochemical cells

An electrode in an electrochemical cell is referred to as either a cathode or an anode. The anode is the electrode where electrons leave the cell and oxidation takes place, whereas the cathode is the electrode where electrons enter the cell and reduction takes place. Depending on the direction of current through the cell, any of the two electrodes can become an anode or a cathode. Bipolar electrodes are those that can operate as anode in one cell and cathode in another.

Primary cells are electrochemical cells in which irreversible reactions occur, which is why the cathode and anode identities are fixed in these cells. The anode in these cells will always be negative, implying that oxidation will always occur. While the cathode will always be positive, or at this point, there will always be a reduction. Galvanic cell is an example of a primary cell. Secondary cells, also known as electrolytic cells, are rechargeable, which means they undergo reversible chemical reactions. The anode is always positive in these cells, while the cathode is constantly negative.

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Factors Affecting Products of Electrolysis

1. The electrolysis products are determined by the material being electrolyzed. In other words, the electrolysis process is governed by the type of the electrolyte. For a strong electrolyte, the procedure is quick, but for a weak electrolyte, an extra potential, also known as excess potential, is necessary. The value of this excess potential affects the electrolysis products as well.

2. The type of the electrodes has an impact on the electrolysis products. In other words, an inert electrode (such as gold or platinum) does not participate in the process, whereas an active electrode does.

3. The electrolytic products are affected by various oxidising and reducing species present in the electrolytic cell.

4. The electrolytic cell's products are determined by the standard electrode potentials of the various oxidising and reducing species present.

5. In the case of several reactions, the electrolysis product is determined by the standard electrode potential of the individual reactions. For instance, electrolysis of a sodium chloride aqueous solution. The reduction process with the highest standard electrode potential takes place at the cathode, out of the many reduction reactions taking place. Similarly, the oxidation process with the lowest standard electrode potential occurs at the anode, out of the many oxidation reactions.

NCERT Chemistry Notes :

Uses of electrodes

In a cell, electrodes are utilised to make contact between nonmetal circuit components.

  • Conductivity is measured using electrodes.

  • These are utilised in car fuel cells.

  • Medical devices such as EEG, ECG, ECT, and defibrillators employ them.

  • These are employed in biomedical research for electrophysiological procedures.

  • These are employed in the electric chair execution.

  • Electroplating is done with them.

  • Arc welding is done with them.

  • These are utilised as a grounding device.

  • Electrochemistry makes use of them.

  • These are used to determine the chemical composition of substances.

  • These are utilised in the assembly of membrane electrodes.

  • Electroshock weapons make advantage of them

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 1.Explain any two factors affecting product of electrolysis.

 1. The electrolysis products are determined by the material being electrolyzed. In other words, the electrolysis process is governed by the type of the electrolyte. For a strong electrolyte, the procedure is quick, but for a weak electrolyte, an extra potential, also known as excess potential, is necessary. The value of this excess potential affects the electrolysis products as well.

2. The type of the electrodes has an impact on the electrolysis products. In other words, an inert electrode (such as gold or platinum) does not participate in the process, whereas a active electrode does.

2. 2. Give difference between active and inert electrode.

Active electrode

Inert electrode

Definition

The active electrode is the one that actively participates in the electrochemical cell's chemical reaction.

An inert electrode is one that is not involved in the chemical reaction.

Uses

In electroplating, active electrodes are employed.

In electrolysis, inert electrodes are utilised.

Behavior

The active electrode's metal ions dissolve in the electrolytic solution.

The inert electrode's metal ions are not dissolved.

Reactions

On the active electrode, oxidation or reduction reactions may occur.

There are no reactions of oxidation or reduction.

Mode of Electrical conductance

Ion exchange allows active electrodes to conduct electricity.

Electron transfer is used to carry electricity between inert electrodes.

3. 3. Give some uses of electrodes.

1. In a cell, electrodes are utilised to make contact between nonmetal circuit components.

2 .Conductivity is measured using electrodes.

3. These are utilised in car fuel cells.

4. Medical devices such as EEG, ECG, ECT, and defibrillators employ them.

4. 4. What are primary cells?Give an example.

Primary cells are electrochemical cells in which irreversible reactions occur, which is why the cathode and anode identities are fixed in these cells. The anode in these cells will always be negative, implying that oxidation will always occur. While the cathode will always be positive, or at this point, there will always be a reduction. The Galvanic cell is an example of a primary cell.

5. 5. Define electrode.

The point where current enters or leaves the electrolyte or circuit is referred to as an electrode.

6. What is the difference between a working electrode and an indicator electrode?
A working electrode is where the reaction of interest occurs in an electrochemical cell, often used in controlled-potential experiments. An indicator electrode, used in potentiometric measurements, develops a potential in response to the concentration of a specific ion or analyte in solution. While working electrodes actively participate in the reaction, indicator electrodes passively respond to solution composition.
7. What is the importance of the electrode-electrolyte interface in electrochemistry?
The electrode-electrolyte interface is crucial in electrochemistry because it's where electron transfer reactions occur. Its properties determine:
8. How do fuel cell electrodes differ from battery electrodes?
Fuel cell electrodes are designed for continuous operation with externally supplied reactants, while battery electrodes contain the active materials for energy storage. Key differences include:
9. How do nanostructured electrodes enhance electrochemical performance?
Nanostructured electrodes improve electrochemical performance by:
10. What is the principle behind electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and how is it used to study electrodes?
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) involves applying a small sinusoidal voltage perturbation to an electrode and measuring the resulting current response over a range of frequencies. It is used to study electrodes by:
11. What are the two main types of electrodes in an electrochemical cell?
The two main types of electrodes in an electrochemical cell are:
12. How can you remember which electrode is the anode and which is the cathode?
A helpful mnemonic is "ANOX RED CAT":
13. What is a half-cell, and how does it relate to electrodes?
A half-cell is one part of an electrochemical cell, consisting of an electrode immersed in an electrolyte. It represents either the oxidation half-reaction or the reduction half-reaction of a redox process. Two half-cells connected by a salt bridge or porous membrane form a complete electrochemical cell.
14. What is the difference between faradaic and non-faradaic processes at electrodes?
Faradaic processes involve the transfer of electrons across the electrode-electrolyte interface, resulting in oxidation or reduction reactions that follow Faraday's laws of electrolysis. Non-faradaic processes, such as adsorption and desorption, do not involve electron transfer but can still affect the electrode-electrolyte interface and the measured current.
15. How do biosensors utilize electrodes?
Biosensors use electrodes as transducers to convert biological recognition events into measurable electrical signals. They typically involve:
16. How does the surface area of an electrode affect its performance?
Increasing the surface area of an electrode generally improves its performance by:
17. What factors affect electrode potential?
Electrode potential is affected by several factors:
18. How does temperature affect electrode potential?
Temperature affects electrode potential by influencing the kinetic energy of particles and the equilibrium constant of the redox reaction. Generally, as temperature increases, the magnitude of the electrode potential decreases. This relationship is described by the Nernst equation, which includes a temperature term.
19. What is overpotential, and why is it significant in electrochemistry?
Overpotential is the additional potential beyond the thermodynamically determined electrode potential needed to drive a reaction at a certain rate. It's significant because it represents energy losses in electrochemical systems and affects the efficiency of processes like electrolysis and battery operation.
20. What is electrode poisoning, and how can it be prevented?
Electrode poisoning occurs when substances adsorb onto the electrode surface, blocking active sites and reducing its effectiveness. It can be prevented by:
21. What is the difference between a sacrificial electrode and an inert electrode?
A sacrificial electrode is designed to corrode or dissolve during the electrochemical process, often used for cathodic protection or as a source of metal ions. An inert electrode does not participate in the reaction but only provides or accepts electrons. Inert electrodes, like platinum or graphite, are used when the electrode material should not influence the reaction.
22. What is the role of electrocatalysts in electrode design?
Electrocatalysts are materials that increase the rate of electrochemical reactions without being consumed. In electrode design, they:
23. What is electrodeposition, and how is it used in electrode modification?
Electrodeposition is the process of depositing a material onto an electrode surface using an electric current. In electrode modification, it is used to:
24. What is the importance of electrode kinetics in electrochemical reactions?
Electrode kinetics describes the rate of electron transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface. It is crucial because it:
25. How do ion-selective electrodes achieve specificity for particular ions?
Ion-selective electrodes achieve specificity through:
26. What is the difference between a metal electrode and an ion-selective electrode?
Metal electrodes are solid conductors that participate directly in electron transfer reactions. Ion-selective electrodes, however, are designed to respond selectively to specific ions in solution, often using a special membrane or crystal. They are used for ion concentration measurements rather than driving redox reactions.
27. How do microelectrodes differ from conventional electrodes?
Microelectrodes have at least one dimension in the micrometer range (typically <50 μm). Compared to conventional electrodes, they offer:
28. How do reference electrodes differ from working electrodes?
Reference electrodes have a stable and well-known electrode potential, used as a reference point for measuring the potential of other electrodes. Working electrodes, on the other hand, are where the reaction of interest occurs and their potential is measured relative to the reference electrode.
29. How do screen-printed electrodes differ from traditional electrodes?
Screen-printed electrodes are fabricated by printing electrode materials onto a substrate using screen printing technology. Compared to traditional electrodes, they offer:
30. How do chemically modified electrodes enhance electrochemical measurements?
Chemically modified electrodes have their surfaces altered with specific chemical species to enhance their properties. They can:
31. What is a rotating disk electrode (RDE), and why is it used?
A rotating disk electrode (RDE) is a hydrodynamic working electrode used in electrochemical studies. It consists of a conductive disk embedded in an insulating rod that rotates during measurements. RDEs are used to:
32. What is the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), and why is it important?
The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is a reference electrode used to measure the standard electrode potential of other half-cells. It consists of a platinum electrode immersed in a 1 M H+ solution with H2 gas bubbled over it at 1 atm pressure and 25°C. Its importance lies in its use as a universal reference point, with an assigned potential of 0.00 V, allowing for the comparison of different electrode potentials.
33. How do pH electrodes work?
pH electrodes typically consist of a glass electrode and a reference electrode. The glass electrode develops a potential proportional to the H+ ion concentration (pH) of the solution. This potential is measured against the stable reference electrode, allowing for accurate pH determination. The glass membrane is specially designed to be selectively permeable to H+ ions.
34. How do gas diffusion electrodes work?
Gas diffusion electrodes are porous electrodes that allow gases to diffuse through them and react at the three-phase boundary of gas, liquid electrolyte, and solid electrode. They are commonly used in fuel cells and some batteries to facilitate reactions involving gaseous reactants, such as oxygen reduction in air-breathing cathodes.
35. What is the role of a counter electrode in a three-electrode system?
In a three-electrode system, the counter electrode (also called auxiliary electrode) completes the circuit with the working electrode, allowing current to flow. Its main roles are:
36. What is an electrode in electrochemistry?
An electrode is a solid electrical conductor that makes contact with a non-metallic part of a circuit, such as an electrolyte, semiconductor, or vacuum. In electrochemistry, electrodes are used to provide or receive electrons in redox reactions, facilitating the flow of electrical current through the electrolyte.
37. How do electrodes differ from electrolytes?
Electrodes are solid conductors that transfer electrons, while electrolytes are solutions or molten substances that conduct electricity through the movement of ions. Electrodes are the sites where oxidation and reduction reactions occur, whereas electrolytes provide the medium for ion transport between electrodes.
38. What is the principle behind potentiometric sensors?
Potentiometric sensors measure the potential difference between an indicator electrode and a reference electrode under conditions of no current flow. The potential difference is related to the activity or concentration of specific ions in the solution. This principle is based on the Nernst equation and is commonly used in pH meters and ion-selective electrodes.
39. How do solid-state electrodes differ from liquid-based electrodes?
Solid-state electrodes are made entirely of solid materials, while liquid-based electrodes involve a liquid electrolyte. Solid-state electrodes offer:
40. How do transparent electrodes work, and what are their applications?
Transparent electrodes are conductive materials that allow light to pass through them. They typically consist of thin films of materials like indium tin oxide (ITO) or graphene. Applications include:
41. What is the role of the Helmholtz layer in electrode processes?
The Helmholtz layer, also known as the electrical double layer, is a structure that forms at the electrode-electrolyte interface. It consists of a layer of ions adsorbed onto the electrode surface and a diffuse layer of ions extending into the electrolyte. The Helmholtz layer:
42. How do photoelectrodes work, and what are their applications?
Photoelectrodes are electrodes that generate or modify an electrical response when exposed to light. They typically involve semiconducting materials that create electron-hole pairs upon light absorption. Applications include:
43. How do composite electrodes combine the properties of different materials?
Composite electrodes are made by combining two or more materials to leverage their complementary properties. They can:
44. How do stripping voltammetry techniques utilize electrode properties?
Stripping voltammetry techniques exploit the ability of electrodes to preconcentrate analytes through electrodeposition, followed by their controlled removal (stripping). These methods:
45. What are the challenges in developing stable and efficient oxygen evolution electrodes?
Developing stable and efficient oxygen evolution electrodes faces several challenges:

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The researchers successfully incorporated nanostructures into a polymer matrix, which enhanced the film's surface roughness, polarizability, and hydrophobicity, among other characteristics, as a result. Due to the enhancement in the above property, the flexible film is used to fabricate the device where raindrops have just to slide down and can generate electricity. The artificially created rough surface allows to generate more charge and superhydrophobic properties of the solid surface help to roll the water drop without getting stick to the surface.

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Question:Name the electronic devices which can be powered with the device mentioned in the passage:
1. Watches
2. Pedometers
3. Refrigerators
4. Radio Frequency Transmitters
 

Option 1: Only 1 and 2
 

Option 2: All 1,2,3, and 4
 

Option 3: Only 3 and 4
 

Option 4: Only 1,2 , and 4

Correct Answer: Only 1,2 , and 4


Solution : The correcrt option is 4 i.e  "Only 1, 2, and 4."
Explanation:

 Let's refer to the following lines of the passage:

The device has a very simple structure consisting of specially designed nanocomposite polymers and contact electrodes and can generate a few Milliwatt (Mw) power, which is sufficient to power small electronic devices like watches, digital thermometers, radio frequency transmitters, healthcare sensors, pedometers. 
The above statement clearly mention the watches, pedometers and radio frequency transmitters.

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Question : When did Heinrich Hertz discover the photoelectric effect and observe that shining ultraviolet light on the electrodes caused a change in voltage between them?

Option 1: 1916

Option 2: 1902

Option 3: 1990

Option 4: 1887

Correct Answer: 1887


Solution : The correct option is 1887.

In the year 1887, German physicist Heinrich Hertz made a pivotal discovery related to the photoelectric effect while researching radio waves. In the course of his experiments, Hertz utilised a spark gap consisting of two closely spaced, sharp electrodes capable of generating electric sparks to identify the presence of electromagnetic waves.

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Question : Electrolysis of an aqueous solution of copper sulphate using copper electrodes gives

Option 1: copper at the cathode, and oxygen at the anode

Option 2: copper at the anode, and oxygen at the cathode

Option 3: copper at the cathode, and anodes dissolve to give copper

Option 4: hydrogen at the cathode, and oxygen at the anode

Correct Answer: copper at the cathode, and oxygen at the anode


Solution : The correct option is copper at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.

Copper is deposited at the cathode and is dissolved at the anode. Consequently, the concentration of copper ions in the solution remains constant. This can be used as a method of purification of copper as only pure copper is deposited at the cathode. Bubbles of gas (oxygen) are formed and evolved at the anode.

The equation will be as follows:

(cathode) Cu+ + 2e−→ Cu
(anode) Cu → Cu2+ + 2e−

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Option 1: Beryllium

Option 2: Rubidium

Option 3: Francium

Option 4: Caesium

Correct Answer: Beryllium


Solution : The correct answer is Beryllium.

The symbol of Beryllium is Be with an atomic number of 4. It is a lightweight, metallic element known for its strong and lightweight properties. Beryllium is often used in alloys, especially in the aerospace industry, due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.

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