cell potential

[luckyt66]

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I know it does for oxidation, but for the reduction to be favorable does the cell potential have to be positive as well?

sorry if this seems like a stupid question

 

[Rabolisk]

First, positive and negative are just relative to what is known as the Standard Hydrogen Electrode. Positive reduction potential just means that it is more likely to happen (the reduction) than H+ being reduced to H2. Negative reduction potential means that it is less likely to happen than H+ being reduced to H2. Alternatively, the reverse (oxidation) is more likely to happen than H2 being oxidized to H+.

I am not entirely sure what you are asking, but I hope that cleared up some confusions.

 

[sangria1986]

as rabolisk said the values are just relative. However, knowing whether or not the e potential (sum of the reduction and oxidation potential) can tell you if the overall reaction will happen spontaneously. An overall positive E means it is spontaneous. if it is negative it is not. Also, the greater the overall e the more likely it will happen compared to another overall e.