Factors Affecting Electrode Potentials

Multiple parameters may appear in the determining of standard electrode potentials.

Temperature

  • When it comes to chemical reactions, temperature plays a crucial role.
  • As the temperature increases, the reaction rate tends to rise.
  • For redox reactions (where electrons are transferred), this increase in temperature affects the equilibrium constants.
  • Consequently, the electrode potentials can shift due to changes in reaction rates and equilibrium positions.

Concentration

  • The concentration of reactants and products in a solution directly impacts the electrode potential.
  • According to the Nernst equation, the electrode potential depends on the ratio of concentrations of species involved in the redox reaction.
  • If the concentrations are unbalanced, the equilibrium position of the electrode potential will shift accordingly.

Pressure

  • Pressure mainly affects gaseous species involved in oxidation and reduction.
  • As the pressure changes, the partial pressures of gases also vary.
  • This alteration in partial pressures influences the activity of these gases at the electrode interface.
  • Consequently, the electrode potential can be affected by changes in gas pressure.

Standard Electrode Potential

Standard electrode potential (E°) is a measure of the tendency of a half-reaction to occur as a reduction at a standard condition. In the context of standard electrode potential, “standard conditions” refer to a set of specific conditions under which the potential is measured. It includes standard concentration of all aqueous species to be 1 mol/L, pressure to be 1 atm and temperature to be 25℃ or 298K.

In this article, we will learn in detail about standard electrode potential, its formula, construction, factors affecting and applications.

Table of Content

  • What is Standard Electrode Potential?
  • Standard Electrode Potential Formula
  • Construction of Standard Electrode Potential
  • Difference Between Electrode Potential and Standard Electrode Potential
  • Factors Affecting Electrode Potentials
  • Standard Electrode Potential Example

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What is Standard Electrode Potential?

Standard electrode potential, also known as standard reduction potential, is a measure of the tendency of a half-cell to gain electrons and undergo reduction under standard conditions. In this case, the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is typically used as a potential reference and it is expressed in volts (V). In simpler terms, standard electrode potentials quantify how likely a species is to gain electrons and be reduced in a redox reaction....

Standard Electrode Potential Formula

The standard electrode potential (E°) for a half-cell reaction can be calculated using the Nernst equation. The Nernst equation relates the standard electrode potential to the actual electrode potential under non-standard conditions. Hence, the formula for Standard Electrode Potential is given as:...

Construction of Standard Electrode Potential

For standard electrode potential, the Standard Hydrogen Electrode is considered as a respected reference electrode and will be taken to show the zero volts at any temperature....

Difference Between Electrode Potential and Standard Electrode Potential

The difference between electrode potential and standard electrode potential is given below:...

Factors Affecting Electrode Potentials

Multiple parameters may appear in the determining of standard electrode potentials....

Standard Electrode Potential Example

Imagine you have two metals: zinc and copper....

Half Cell Reactions

Electrochemical cells rely on the same basic principle as the reactions happening on individual electrodes (half-cell reactions). These reactions involve the electrode losing or gaining electrons (oxidation or reduction). The standard potential of an electrode tells us its natural tendency to gain or lose electrons compared to a reference point. This potential helps predict the direction of the overall reaction in the cell. These cells use the combined process of oxidation and reduction (redox) to generate electricity. The voltage produced is likely linked to the movement of electrons during these reactions within the cell. The half cell reaction for a Zn-Cu cell is given as follows:...

Applications of Standard Electrode Potentials

The applications of standard electrode potential in various domain is mentioned below:...

Significance of Standard Electrode Potential

The standard electrode potential plays several significant roles in electrochemistry and related fields:...

Conclusion

In the conclusion, it is standard electrode potentials which form the fundamentals of electrochemistry, known as robust tools for predicting the redox reactions’ behavior. Such standard electrode potentials, which are used for reaction purposes. Also, they form the foundation for developing solutions which are applicable across a variety of fields. The wide usage of standard electrode potentials in the industrial as well as environmental studies results in the many applications of this technology namely battery technology, electroplating and environmental monitoring....

Frequently Asked Questions on Standard Electrode Potentials

What are standard electrode potentials?...

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