Question

An electrochemical cell generally consists of?
A. A cathode, anode, electrolyte, wire and two compartments
B. Cathode, anode, and wire
C. Two compartment that conduct electricity
D. A positive and negative side
E. A cathode and an anode

Answer 1

Hint: An electrochemical cell is a device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It does so by passing electrons, occurring during chemical reactions, through wire attached to electrodes. So, these electrodes are termed as anode and cathode.

Complete step by step answer:
In order to understand this, let us draw a diagram consisting of anode and cathode.

As we can see in the figure the electrochemical cell just consists of anode and cathode.
Wire and electrolytes are external and extra parts which are used to consume cell energy.
Cathode is a place where reduction occurs and anode is a place of oxidation.
Oxidation means loss of electrons while reduction means gain of electrons. That's why electrons get transferred from anode to cathode because anode oxidation takes place.
Cathode is denoted by positive sign as electron enters in it whereas, anode as negative sign as electron moves out of it.

So, the correct answer is Option E.

Additional information :
Electrochemical cells are used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by some chemical reaction which provides the electric energy. It is also used to carry chemical reactions by supplying electrical energy. Generally there are two types of electrochemical cells. These are galvanic and electrolytic cells.

Note: Generally while making the electrochemical cell diagram it is convention to make the cathode on the right hand side and the anode at left side. Electrochemical cells play a very important and crucial role in our life. Some advanced electrochemical cells like fuel cells serve the very purpose of clean energy in remote locations.