Cathode to the Right Rule

[Jason Wu 1E]

I'm not sure if this is a rule that is always applicable. When we see either a visual diagram or simplified galvanic cell in terms of compounds (i.e. Ni | Ni2+ || Ag+ | Ag ), is it safe to assume the cathode will always be placed on the right? If so, are we expected to do the same at all times?

[Ronak Naik]

I believe you can assume that the cathode will always be on the right. But, just to double-check when you assume this, at the cathode the reaction that takes place is always reduction. Thus, we should see a gain of electrons on the right side of the given statement. In this one, Ag+ goes to Ag.

[romina_4C]

Yes, usually for galvanic cells the anode is on the left and the cathode is on the right. As mentioned above, at the anode oxidation takes place and at the cathode reduction takes place.

[Viviana Velasquez]

The cathode will typically be placed on the right, but you should double check anyways because I have seen diagrams where they are flipped. However, Lavelle made it seem like it will always be on the right for this class.

[Abby Soriano 1J]

Whenever you see any type of visual diagram for a galvanic cell, it's standard for the cathode (and thus reduction) to be represented on the right.

[Kavya Immadisetty 2B]

The cathode should always be listed on the right I think it's the standard.

[Qiu Ya Wu 4I]

A word of caution: an UA told me that the book is really inconsistent with the visual diagram conventions so I would always double check!