CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

On tests for example, will the cathode always be on the right and the anode always on the left?
If not, how do I tell which is the anode and which is the cathode?

Generally, that's what we assume the cathode and anode to be. If not, you would need to see the oxidation numbers to figure out which reaction is which.

Generally, yes, the cathode is usually on the right and the anode is usually on the left. However, if you want to make sure, the cathode is always the reduction while the anode is always the oxidation. You determine which solution is reduced and oxidized by looking at the transfer of electrons in the overall reaction.

You can remember that the cathode is always reduction and the anode is always oxidation with this trick: "red cat" and "an ox" if that's helpful.

To add on, the electrode at which the electrons enter and “add to” the cell is the cathode while the electrode at which the electrons leave the cell is the anode.

The default setup typically ensures that the anode is on the left and cathode is on the right for standard cell notation.

Oxidation happens at the anode and reduction happens at the cathode. Electrons leave the anode and go to the cathode.

Anode = Left = Oxidation (Losing electrons) meanwhile Cathode = Right = Reduction (Gaining electrons)