cells: galvanic vs electrolytic: electrodes (1 Viewer)

[beemz]

so ah galvanic cells, the reactions occur simulataneously and there are two half cells?..
electrolytic, a voltage is applied to make the reaction occur... and there is only one cell?

... in a galvanic cell the anode is negative but in the electrolytic cell the anode is positive?? why??? .. they do the same thing... the anode is oxidised in both cells so why are they different charges? why? why? :S

 

[anarchron]

The sign of the electrodes refers to its nett charge at the moment. In a galvanic cell, atoms lose their electrons and dive into the electrolyte thereby leaving an overall negative charge on the anode.

In an electrolytic cell, the cathode is connected to the anode of the power source and thus receives heaps of electrons, thereby leaving it with an overall negative charge.