What occurs at the anode during the recharging of a nickel-cadmium cell?

During the recharging of a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) cell, the anode is where oxidation takes place. The overall process in a nickel-cadmium cell involves cadmium being oxidized, which means that cadmium ions lose electrons. When the cell is discharging, cadmium at the anode converts from cadmium metal to cadmium hydroxide, releasing electrons in the process.

When the cell is recharged, the flow of current reverses, leading to a process where the cadmium ions at the anode receive electrons and revert back to cadmium metal. However, during the actual charging cycle, it is crucial to understand that the oxidation step is what occurs at the anode; therefore, cadmium is oxidized to cadmium hydroxide.

This understanding highlights the nature of the electrochemical reactions occurring during charge and discharge cycles, where oxidation and reduction reactions happen at the anodes and cathodes respectively.