What best describes the external circuit in an electrochemical cell?

The external circuit in an electrochemical cell is best described by the movement of electrons from the anode to the cathode. In the context of electrochemistry, the anode is the site where oxidation occurs, leading to the release of electrons. These electrons then flow through the external circuit to the cathode, where reduction takes place. This flow of electrons is what generates an electric current, making it a key aspect of how an electrochemical cell operates.

In this process, the anode and cathode are specific electrodes where reactions occur, but they do not on their own define the external circuit. The movement of ions toward the anode from the cathode, while it is important to the operation of the cell, refers to activity within the electrolytic solution rather than describing the pathway of electron flow in the external circuit. Thus, understanding the correct flow of electrons reinforces the concept of how energy is harnessed and transferred in electrochemical cells.