MCAT Exam  >  MCAT Questions  >  Which of the following statements accurately ... Start Learning for Free
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?
  • a)
    The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.
  • b)
    The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.
  • c)
    Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.
  • d)
    Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive ∆G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference ...
Galvanic vs. Electrolytic Cells
Galvanic cells and electrolytic cells are two types of electrochemical cells with key differences in their operation.

Anode and Cathode
- In a galvanic cell, the anode is the negative terminal. This is because the anode is where oxidation occurs, leading to the loss of electrons.
- The flow of electrons is from the anode to the cathode in a galvanic cell, driving the spontaneous redox reaction.

Oxidation and Reduction
- In an electrolytic cell, oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode.
- This is different from galvanic cells, where oxidation occurs at the anode.

External Source
- Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), requiring an external battery source to drive the non-spontaneous redox reaction.
- In contrast, galvanic cells generate their own electrical energy from the spontaneous redox reaction occurring within the cell.
Free Test
Community Answer
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference ...
The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells. This is a true statement, but it is also true of electrolytic cells, so it doesn’t help to differentiate between the two.
For an electrolytic cell, oxidation occurs at the positive terminal or anode, and reduction occurs at the negative terminal or cathode. The signage is determined by the battery.
Electrolytic cells also have a positive ∆G° (aka non-spontaneous) such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons, but it has a negative EMF.
Galvanic cells have the anode as the negative terminal and cathode as the positive terminal. Here, the signage comes from the anode providing the electrons for the circuit through oxidation.
Explore Courses for MCAT exam

Top Courses for MCAT

Question Description
Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2025 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for MCAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for MCAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Which of the following statements accurately describes the difference between galvanic and electrolytic cells?a)The anode is the negative terminal for a Galvanic cell because the anode is the source of the electrons where oxidation occurs.b)The flow of electrons goes from the anode to the cathode for galvanic cells.c)Oxidation occurs at the negative terminal, and reduction occurs at the positive terminal for an electrolytic cell.d)Electrolytic cells have a positive EMF and positive G° such that it requires an external battery source to drive electrons.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice MCAT tests.
Explore Courses for MCAT exam

Top Courses for MCAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev