In an electrochemical cell, how does electric current flow?

In an electrochemical cell, electric current is defined by the flow of electrons, which move from the anode to the cathode. This flow occurs through the external circuit. When a redox reaction takes place within the cell, oxidation occurs at the anode, where electrons are released. These electrons then travel through the external circuit to the cathode, where reduction occurs as they are accepted.

The current is considered as the flow of positive charge, which can be thought of as moving in the opposite direction of electron flow. Therefore, while electrons move from the anode to the cathode, the conventional current direction is defined from the anode to the cathode in the external circuit. Understanding this flow is crucial for analyzing how electrochemical cells function, as it underpins the principles of electrical potential and energy transfer within the system.