negative cell potential

[inaccensa]

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A negative cell potential indicates which of the following:
A. Both half reactions are nonspontaneous.
B. The reduction half reaction potential is greater than
the oxidation half reaction potential.
C. The oxidation half reaction potential is greater than
the reduction half reaction potential.
D. The cell is electrolytic


If reaction A has E =5V
If reaction B has E= -8V
Obviously, A will be reduced. so the final E =5 and E =8 respectively.

I know the correct ans is D, but what about B and C
E(naught) = Ered-Eox = 5-8 =-3, why can't this be true?

 

[Tokspor]

A negative cell potential indicates which of the following:
A. Both half reactions are nonspontaneous.
B. The reduction half reaction potential is greater than
the oxidation half reaction potential.
C. The oxidation half reaction potential is greater than
the reduction half reaction potential.
D. The cell is electrolytic


If reaction A has E =5V
If reaction B has E= -8V
Obviously, A will be reduced. so the final E =5 and E =8 respectively.

I know the correct ans is D, but what about B and C
E(naught) = Ered-Eox = 5-8 =-3, why can't this be true?

The equation should be E = E(red) + E(ox). You can see that E(red) and E(ox) can be both positive values where E(red) is still greater than E(ox), or where E(ox) is less than E(red).

 

[inaccensa]

Never mind I had done the problem incorrectly.