Galvanic cell set up
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Galvanic cell set up
Since a galvanic cell corresponds to a spontaneous reaction, is the left side of the cell diagram always the anode?
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
To add on to that, in real life situations the left might not be the anode, it is just standardized like so in textbooks so that it is easier to comprehend.
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
Usually the cathode is on the right in a cell diagram, but you should find the standard potentials of each half reaction to make sure. The reaction with the more positive standard potential will be the cathode.
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
Since the reactions in Galvanic cells are spontaneous and Eocell = Eocathode - Eoanode, the reaction with the more positive (or less negative) standard reduction potential should be at the cathode so that Eocell > 0.
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
Yes, in the textbook it says that Reduction, which is the cathode, is Right to maintain clarity.
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
Yes, in order to make the overall cell potential positive (which is what we want for a galvanic cell), the anode needs to be on the left and cathode needs to be on the right.
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Re: Galvanic cell set up
But in a case in which you were unsure, you can always refer to the written reaction to determine which reactant is being oxidized and which is being reduced. This will help you find out which side is the anode or cathode ("redcat").
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