Page "Daniell cell" Paragraph 17

In the Daniell cell, which due to its simplicity is often used in classroom demonstrations, a wire and light bulb may connect the two electrodes.

Electrons that are “ pulled ” from the zinc anode travel through the wire, providing an electrical current that illuminates the bulb.

In such a cell, the sulfate ions play an important role.

Having a negative charge, these anions build up around the anode to maintain a neutral charge.

Conversely, at the cathode the copper ( II ) cations accumulate to maintain this neutral charge.

These two processes cause copper solid to accumulate at the cathode and the zinc electrode to " dissolve " into the solution.