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conductor of the electric current - on the external circle. This directed electron flux

is an electric current.

On a zinc electrode of an element there is the zinc dissolution with the
transformation of its atoms into ions takes place, that is, the process of oxidation:

2+
Zn - 2 ē = Zn ,

and the released electrons on the conductor move to the copper electrode, where
the disintegration of Kuprum cations (recovery process) occurs, which is

accompanied by the extraction of metallic copper :

2+
Cu + 2 ē = Cu.

The total reaction equation, due to which the electric current in the circuit takes

place will be as follows
2+ 2+
Zn + Cu = Zn + Cu.

The electrode on which the oxidation process takes place is called an anode,

and the electrode on which the recovery process takes place is a cathode.

Schematically described galvanic element is writen as follows:

(–) Zn|ZnSO 4||CuSO 4|Cu (+),

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