Cathode and Anode

[Alexa Garcia]

What is the best way to determine which half reaction is the anode or cathode?

[lynnettefernandez_1C]

First in order to know you need to know which half reaction is oxidation and which is reduction. Oxidation is when your electrons are on the right (products side) and reduction is when your electrons are on the left (reactants side). Thus your anode is always oxidized and the cathode is always reduced.

[505998141]

The oxidation half reaction will be used for the anode.
The reduction half reaction will be used for the cathode.
Anode is written on the left side, and cathode is written on the right side in cell notation.

[Brandon Li]

Cathode = gains electron
Anode = loses electron
In a simplified cell diagram, the anode is always on the left and cathode is always on the right of the ||.

Take Zn + Cu2+ -> Zn2+ + Cu for example.

The half reaction for Zn is Zn -> Zn2+ + 2e-
The half reaction for Cu is Cu2+ + 2e- -> Cu

Since Zn is the one losing electrons, it is the anode and Cu is the cathode

[Kelli Chong [1B]]

The best way to determine which half reaction is a cathode is to determine whether oxidation (loss of electrons) or reduction (gain of electrons) is taking place.
Reduction occurs strictly at the cathode, while oxidation occurs strictly at the anode. Hope that helps!

[105561735]

A memonic i like to use is ALEO kind of like alleyoop but with an accent. Despite that, it has helped me out
A- Anode
L- Loss
E- Electrons
O- oxidation