Anode vs Cathode

[Sean Phen]

I keep on mixing up anode vs cathode. How can you tell them apart? Does anyone have a strategy of remembering the differences?

[Natalie 3k]

I remember it by Oxidation occurs at the Anode (they both start with vowels) and Reduction occurs at the Cathode (both start with consonants)

[Mansi Solanki 3A]

I was taught to remember An Ox and a Red Cat, meaning that OXidation happens in the ANode and REDuction happens in the CAThode.

[Lauren Sarigumba 1K]

I think about the prefixes an- and cat-. Anions have a negative charge, and the anode is the electrode that releases electrons. The cathode is a positive charge and is the one that receives the electrons.

[Kushaal Madadi 2F]

Well, you only have to remember what one of them does. I just remember the mnemonic AGE: Anode Gives Electrons.

[Mina Tadros 3L]

The anode is where oxidation occurs (releasing electrons), whereas the cathode is where reduction occurs (the gaining of electrons). I don't really know of a mnemonic that could help you easily differentiate between the two.

[Kiara Phillips 3L]

I was taught to remember An Ox and a Red Cat, meaning that OXidation happens in the ANode and REDuction happens in the CAThode.

Same here! It is kind of unconventional but if you say it aloud a few times you will begin to remember it.

[Justin Zhang_1A]

Oxidation occurs at the anode while reduction occurs at the cathode.

[Audrey Han 3L]

I just try to remember that cathode is reduction and anode is oxidation!

[Hannah Lechtzin 1K]

I just remember that oxidation is at the anode and reduction is at the cathode. In diagrams the anode is also on the left, while the cathode is on the right. Electrons flow from anode to cathode.

[Sam Wentzel 1F 14B]

Anode is initially negative (like an anion) and becomes positive as it gives e-'s to the cathode.
The Cathode is initially positive (like a cation) and becomes negative as it receive's e-'s from the anode.

[Charmaine Ng 2D]

I just remember the two words that begin with vowels (anode and oxidation) are together while the two (cathode and reduction) are together!

Since anode is where oxidation occurs, it's losing an electron, while reduction occurs at the cathode where the reaction gains an electron. Therefore, the electrons flow from anode to cathode :))

[kristinalaudis3e]

An Ox and a Red Cat helped me in high school!!

[Jennifer Fuentes 2K]

The Anode is the negative or reducing electrode that releases electrons to the external circuit and oxidizes during and electrochemical reaction. The Cathode is the positive or oxidizing electrode that acquires electrons from the external circuit and is reduced during the electrochemical reaction.

[Catherine Grigorian 3L]

Anode is when oxidation occurs. This is when electrons are given out by the species. On the other hand, cathodes are where reduction happens. This is when the electrons are gained by the species.

[205898077]

Oxidation is the anode and the cathode is reduction.

[Nicole Pablico]

It may also be helpful to think about the movement of electrons in an electrochemical cell. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, which can help you remember that oxidation occurs at the anode (where electrons are lost), and reduction occurs at the cathode (where electrons are gained).

Remembering the location of the anode and cathode in specific electrochemical cells may require additional memorization. However, with practice and repetition, you can develop a better understanding of how the anode and cathode work in different types of electrochemical reactions.