What does the term 'cathode' refer to in the context of electrolysis?

In the context of electrolysis, the term 'cathode' refers to the negative pole. During the electrolysis process, the cathode is where the reduction reaction occurs, meaning it is the electrode that attracts cations (positively charged ions) from the electrolyte. When a voltage is applied, electrons flow from the cathode into the surrounding solution, which facilitates the reduction of these positively charged ions to their neutral forms, such as when they deposit material at the cathode.

This negative charge at the cathode is crucial to the functioning of electrolysis, as it creates an environment conducive to attracting and reducing positive ions. Understanding the role of the cathode helps clarify its importance in various applications of electrolysis, whether in electroplating, water splitting, or other related fields in electrochemistry.