Electrode Potential

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Electrode Potential

Published by: Nuru

Published date: 26 Jun 2021

Electrode Potential in Grade 12 - Chemistry

Electrode Potential

The differences set up between the metal electrode and its electrolytic solution is called electrode potential.

Single electrode potential is originated by the separation of charges between the metal electrode and its electrolytic solution.

When a metal is dipped into a solution of its own at a certain concentration its atoms either lose an electron to the solution and the metal itself becomes a positively charged electrode with respect to the solution or some of positively charged ion gain electrons and gets converted into the neutral atoms. This process causes the separations of charges.

Similarly, if the metal ions have a relatively greater tendency to take electrons from the electrode the process is reversed which causes the separation of charges.

The magnitude depends on the following three factors:-

  1. Nature of metal and its ions
  2. The concentration of ions in the solution
  • Temperature

Standard electrode potential:-

It is defined as the potential difference developed at the metal solution interface when the concentration of the solution is 1 mole per liter at 25 degrees Celsius is called. Different metals and non-metals have different values of standard.

Standard hydrogen electrode (SHE):

The hydrogen gas is manipulated at 1 atm and the concentration of H1 ion in solution is one mole is called standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). The emf of the standard hydrogen electrode is found to be 0.00V so it is used as a reference electrode for measuring the emf of the unknown electrode.

Electrochemical series or emf or activity series:-

The series in which standard electrode potential of different electrodes are arranged in the increasing of their values is called electrochemical or emf or activity series.