Cell Potential

[DrRoyal Pains]

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For calculating the EMF, how do you know which species to make the redox reaction and which to make the oxidation reaction?

 

[Demps]

Can you provide the sample question you referring to?

Say it is a galvanic cell, then overall reaction has to be spontaneous. So you look at the two given species and you know one has to be reduced and the other has to be oxidized. Add them and the sum has to come out positive. That's how you know which one to get oxidized or reduced. I guess I just sound dumb without a specific example lol..

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Can you provide the sample question you referring to?

Say it is a galvanic cell, then overall reaction has to be spontaneous. So you look at the two given species and you know one has to be reduced and the other has to be oxidized. Add them and the sum has to come out positive. That's how you know which one to get oxidized or reduced. I guess I just sound dumb without a specific example lol..

Gotcha. I thought that was the case. I just saw a problem on Chad's quiz for the section on cell potential and was wondering. Thanks brah.