Q21.35 P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

How is a standard reference electrode used to determine unknown ${\text{E}}^{\text{o}}$  half-cell values?  

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) with ${\text{E}}^{\text{o}}$ half-cell  $\text{ = 0.0}$ is the standard reference electrode.

Step 1: Definition of standard reference electrode

An electrode with a known electrical potential is referred to as a standard reference electrode. The most typical application of a standard reference electrode is to determine the potential of another material in an electrochemical cell. 

Step 2: Determining the unknown E o half-cell values

The Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) with ${\text{E}}^{\text{o}}$ half-cell  $\text{ = 0.0}$ is the standard reference electrode. The SHE is assigned a value greater than O when electrodes force it to serve as an anode. SHE is given a value smaller than when electrodes force her to operate as a cathode