Cell Diagrams

[Abigail Urbina 1K]

When writing a cell diagram, does the charge of an ion have to be taken into consideration to determine the order in which components are written? Is Fe3+(aq) always going to be written before Fe2+(aq)? Or does it not matter?

[YashDeshmukh1D]

Cell diagrams are written in the order in which the electrons flow. This means that the reduction half reaction (or the cathode) will be on the right side of the diagram while the oxidation half reaction (or the anode) will be on the right.

If Fe3+ is being reduced, it will be written before Fe2+. If the reaction is an oxidation half reaction, Fe2+ will be written before Fe3+.