What do electrodes serve as in a battery?

Electrodes in a battery play a critical role as conductors for current. They are essential components where the electrochemical reactions take place. In a typical battery, there are two electrodes: the anode and the cathode. During a discharge cycle, oxidation occurs at the anode, while reduction occurs at the cathode. This movement of electrons between the electrodes through an external circuit is what generates electric current. Thus, electrodes facilitate the flow of electric current by allowing the chemical reactions to produce and transfer electrons effectively.

Understanding the role of electrodes helps clarify why they are crucial in the overall functionality of a battery. They are not insulators, as insulators would inhibit the flow of electricity. They also do not function as storage devices; rather, they are sites of reaction that enable energy storage mechanisms to work effectively. Furthermore, while batteries can be equipped with voltage regulators to manage output, it is the electrodes that are directly responsible for conducting current during the battery's operation.