AP Chemistry Unit 9: How to Remember Which Electrode is the Anode and Cathode

It's crunch time for AP chemistry. Many of us are teaching unit 9 right now. Here is a visual reminder for them which electrode is the cathode and which is the anode. I have used the mnemonic, An Ox, Red Cat for a while. As in, the anode experiences oxidation and is electron rich while the cathode experiences reduction and is electron poor. A few clicks with AI, and now my students have this picture to help them remember.

The electron motive force or standard reduction potential for a voltaic cell can be calculated with the following simple equation.

This is also an equation that doesn't show up on the equation sheet given to students for the AP test. Yet, they are required to be able to calculate it. So I add one more AI generated image to help them remember the equation.

The cat has the potential to fall due to the ox being gone. (Red Cat - An Ox = E) Just subtract the ox and the cat has potential to fall spontaneously releasing energy. And yes the AI generated image of the cat has three legs, a foot with two toes, a foot with three toes, and one with four. But isn't that all part of the fun?

Hope this short post gives you some ideas about ways to make electrochem more memorable as they head into the test.

Plus, you know when they are stressed out during the test, a smile will come across their face as they picture the three-legged cat falling through the air. A smile on that test is worth a lot!