What is a galvanic cell comprised of?

A galvanic cell is formed when two or more different metals are placed in an electrolyte, leading to electrochemical reactions that generate electricity. The key aspect of a galvanic cell is the presence of dissimilar metals, which creates a potential difference due to their varying corrosion potentials.

When these metals are immersed in an electrolyte, the metal with a higher corrosion potential acts as the anode (where oxidation occurs), while the metal with a lower corrosion potential acts as the cathode (where reduction takes place). This difference in potentials drives the flow of electrons, thus generating an electric current.

The presence of multiple electrolytes or a single type of metal would not create the conditions necessary for the electrochemical reactions that characterize a galvanic cell. Therefore, the correct understanding of a galvanic cell centers on the interaction between different metals, allowing them to produce energy through corrosion processes.