In galvanic corrosion, which statement is true about the galvanic series?

• A. The most cathodic metals are those that will give up electrons most easily
• B. The corrosion occurs only in dry environments
• C. The most anodic metals are those that will give up electrons most easily
• D. All metals have the same electrochemical potential

Answer: (C)

In galvanic corrosion, metals are arranged in a series from most active (anodic) to least active (cathodic). The metal that acts as the anode in a paired setup is the one that loses electrons and corrodes, while the cathode is protected. So the correct statement is that the most anodic metals are those that give up electrons most easily—this is exactly what makes them corrode first when connected in an electrolyte. The idea of “giving up electrons” is just another way of saying these metals have the strongest tendency to oxidize.

Dry environments aren’t enough to drive galvanic corrosion; it requires an electrolyte to carry ions between the metals. That’s why corrosion can be minimal in dry air. And metals do not share the same electrochemical potential—there’s a wide range of potentials that drives which metal becomes the anode and which becomes the cathode.