Galvanic Cells

[Theodore_Herring_1A]

How do you know which reaction is the cathode and which is the anode in a galvanic cell?

[Jessica Castro 2H]

The cathode is where the reduction reaction occurs (usually on the right side) whereas the anode is where the oxidation reaction occurs (usually on the left.

[Kassidy Tran 1E]

The anode is the species giving up an electron (going from a lower to higher positive charge) and the cathode is the one accepting the electron (going from a higher to lower positive charge).

[Kevin Tang 4L]

Usually the one with the more positive E value, the reduction potential, the greater chance that it is going to be reduced, and thus will be the cathode. The one with the lower E value will most likely be the one oxidized, being the anode.

[mbaker4E]

The anode is the one being oxidized, and the cathode is the one being reduced (an ox, red cat).