Chemistry > Electrochemical Cells, Half-Cell Potentials
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QuickNotes™  

Electrochemical Cells, Half-Cell Potentials

  • Some half-reactions can be made into half-cell electrodes

  • Joining half-cells gives galvanic or electrochemical cells; chemical reactions give electric current

  • Need a salt-bridge to conduct ions and balance charges

  • Zero of half-cell potentials is standard hydrogen electrode, SHE

  • Convention is half-cell potentials are for reduction half reactions

  • Table of half-cell potentials is electrochemical series; shows good oxidizing and reducing agents

  • E0 = 0.0592VlogK/n n=no. of electrons transferred

  • Nernst equation for non-standard conditions: E = E0 – 0.0592VlogQ/n; Q = reaction quotient

  • pH meter shows use of Nernst equation

  • Specific ion electrodes for measuring ion concentrations ia Nernst equation