Electrolysis Practice Exam

What type of process does Galvanic action represent?

1. Physical process

2. Chemical process

3. Mechanical process

4. Nuclear process

The correct answer is: Chemical process

Galvanic action represents a chemical process. This action occurs when a spontaneous electrochemical reaction takes place, resulting in the generation of electrical energy. In a Galvanic cell, two different electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte solution, and a redox reaction occurs. The oxidation reaction takes place at one electrode, releasing electrons, while the reduction occurs at the other, consuming electrons. This flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit is what generates electric current. This process is fundamentally rooted in chemical reactions as it involves the transformation of chemical species and their energy states throughout the galvanic cell. The flow of electricity is a byproduct of these chemical changes rather than a physical alteration of substances or a mechanical effect, which further substantiates why Galvanic action is classified as a chemical process.