Scouting reduction potentials

The reduction potential (E, mecisured in volts) of an element measures the tendency of an element to be reduced (or gain electrons). This potential can tell you what types of reactions are possible for that element, what other elements it can bond with, and what types of bonds will likely be formed. 

To better grasp a reduction potential, you need to first understand a halfreaction. Essentially, a half-reaction will show how much energy it takes to reduce an element. 

Anode the electrode where current flows into the solution, marked as the (-)-terminal. 

Conventional electrical current flows in the opposite direction as the electron flow. Because of this, when current is flowing into a solution at the anode, electrons are flowing out of the solution. Remember, if electrons are being pulled away from the metal atoms of the anode, they are losing electrons (oxidation). Therefore, oxidation occurs at the anode. 

---