what's happening in galvanic cells

[Vuong_2F]

in which direction are electrons and ions flowing with respect to the anode/cathode? why are the ions moving in the direction that they are moving?

[Sanjana K - 2F]

The electrons are moving from the anode to the cathode because the anode is being oxidized (losing electrons) while the cathode is being reduced (gaining electrons). When you look at the standard reduction potentials for the half-reactions, the reaction in the cathode half cell should have a more positive reduction potential (less negative), so it'll tend to want electrons more badly than the anode half cell (which is more negative, so it'll give up some of its negative charge in the form of electrons to reach equilibrium.

[EthanPham_1G]

Electrons move from the anode to the cathode. The anode side is getting oxidized, so there is a loss of electrons. The cathode sign has a reduction reaction so there is a gain of electrons. The electrons flow throw the galvanic cell which generates a current of electrons and therefore a voltage.