Which term describes the half of an electrochemical cell that can transfer electrons via a conducting path?

• A. Electrodes
• B. Electrolyte
• C. Half cell
• D. Anode

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how an electrochemical cell is built from two half-cells, each capable of exchanging electrons through an external conducting path. A half-cell is one side of the cell: it includes an electrode immersed in an electrolyte and contains the redox couple that undergoes oxidation or reduction. This arrangement allows electrons to flow through the external circuit from the half-cell where oxidation occurs to the one where reduction occurs. That combination of an electrode, its supporting electrolyte, and the specific redox species is what enables electron transfer along the conducting path, so the term describing this part of the cell is the half-cell.

Electrodes refer to the conducting surfaces themselves, not the full setup that enables electron transfer with a solution. The electrolyte provides ions to balance charge and enable ion movement, but it does not transfer electrons. Anode is a specific electrode where oxidation happens; it doesn’t describe the other half or the general concept.