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Anode and Cathode by Reaction, Not by Charge

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State

The anode is always where oxidation occurs and the cathode always where reduction occurs, in every electrochemical cell, regardless of which electrode carries which charge.

Show

In a galvanic cell, the anode is the negative terminal; identify it from "where electrons release," not its sign.

Watch for

Memorizing "anode is negative" as fixed breaks at an electrolytic cell.