Question

If copper is the anode wouldn't it be oxidized, therefore making the flip from a +0.34V (from the reduction table) to a -0.34V?

Answer 1

Cu has a reduction potential of +0.337V.

Say it acts as an anode. It can only act as an anode for metal cathodes with a more positive reduction potential than that of Cu. For example, Pd (+0.987V), Pt (1.2V), Au (1.3V), etc.

Now, consider a cell with a copper anode and a palladium cathode. The cell potential can be calculated by,

Therefore, even when copper acts as an anode, the standard reduction potential doesn't change from the standard positive value of +0.337V to -0.337V. Always remember that the values of the standard reduction potential table doesn't change depending on whether the metal acts as the anode or the cathode of the cell.