Practice identifying which electrode is the anode, which electrode is the cathode, and where oxidation and reduction occur in electrochemical cells.
Read each problem carefully. Use AN OX to remember that oxidation occurs at the anode, and RED CAT to remember that reduction occurs at the cathode. Show your work in the space provided.
Use AN OX and RED CAT to identify oxidation, reduction, anodes, and cathodes
Chemistry - Grade 9-12
- 1
In any electrochemical cell, oxidation occurs at one electrode and reduction occurs at the other electrode. State which reaction happens at the anode and which reaction happens at the cathode.
- 2
A zinc-copper galvanic cell has the overall reaction: Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) -> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s). Identify the anode, the cathode, the oxidation half-reaction, and the reduction half-reaction.
- 3
In a cell, the half-reaction at the silver electrode is Ag+(aq) + e- -> Ag(s). Is the silver electrode the anode or the cathode? Explain your answer.
- 4
In a cell, the half-reaction at the iron electrode is Fe(s) -> Fe2+(aq) + 2e-. Is the iron electrode the anode or the cathode? Explain your answer.
- 5
A diagram shows electrons flowing through a wire from an aluminum electrode to a nickel electrode in a galvanic cell. Which electrode is the anode, and which electrode is the cathode?
- 6
For the half-reaction Mg(s) -> Mg2+(aq) + 2e-, identify whether oxidation or reduction is occurring and name the electrode where this reaction occurs.
- 7
For the half-reaction Pb2+(aq) + 2e- -> Pb(s), identify whether oxidation or reduction is occurring and name the electrode where this reaction occurs.
- 8
An electrolytic cell is used to plate copper metal onto a spoon. Copper ions in solution become copper metal on the spoon: Cu2+(aq) + 2e- -> Cu(s). Is the spoon the anode or the cathode? Explain.
- 9
A student labels a cathode as the place where oxidation happens because it is positive in a galvanic cell. Correct the student's mistake using AN OX and RED CAT.
- 10
In a galvanic cell made from tin and silver, the tin electrode loses mass while silver metal forms on the silver electrode. Identify the anode and cathode, and state which electrode undergoes oxidation.
- 11
Write the missing electrode type for each statement: oxidation occurs at the blank, and reduction occurs at the blank.
- 12
A cell has these two half-reactions: Ni(s) -> Ni2+(aq) + 2e- and Sn2+(aq) + 2e- -> Sn(s). Identify the anode, cathode, oxidation half-reaction, reduction half-reaction, and the direction of electron flow through the wire.