Physical Chemical Operator SC Practice Test

Anode is defined as the electrode where oxidation occurs. In an electrolytic cell, an external power source drives the reaction, pulling electrons away from the anode through the external circuit toward the cathode. That makes the anode sit at a higher potential and connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, so it is the positive pole. The other options don’t fit this setup: a negative terminal applies to galvanic (spontaneous) cells, neutral isn’t defined as a fixed pole, and ground is just a reference point rather than a designated electrode polarity in this context.