Electrode - GCSE Chemistry Definition

An electrode is a solid conductor that allows electricity to enter or leave an object, substance, or region. In GCSE Chemistry, electrodes are often used in experiments involving electrolysis. The electrodes help split compounds into their elements by conducting electric current. There are usually two electrodes in such a set-up: the positive electrode, called the anode, and the negative electrode, called the cathode. Electrodes are typically made from metals or carbon because they conduct electricity. Carbon is especially useful as it is both a good conductor and chemically inert, so it doesn’t interfere with the electrolysis reactions. An example of electrodes in use is during the electrolysis of salt water (brine). Carbon electrodes are placed in the solution, and ions move towards them, where they gain or lose electrons to form new substances. Understanding electrodes is important for studying how different chemical reactions can be driven by electricity.