Balancing Redox Reactions

[melissa_dis4K]

In class why did Professor Lavelle change the Cu^2+ + 2 e- ---> Cu reaction to the reverse reaction?

[Gary Qiao 1D]

Cu was probably the reducing agent, meaning that the reaction occurred in the anode (since the other reaction must've had a larger Ecell value). This would mean that oxidation occurs in the anode, making the reaction the reverse reaction.

[Karishma_1G]

He reversed it because copper was being oxidized in the reaction.

[Subhani Diu 1F]

The reaction was reversed because it was Cu that was being oxidized during the reaction, meaning that it occurred in the anode.