oxidation and reduction potentials

[chicago88]

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if you were to be comparing 2 different half reactions/elements and their potential values, how do you determine which is easier oxidized/reduced?

i get how to handle a scenario if you have a reduction equation with a positive value and then an oxidation equation with a negative value.

but lets say you have 2 half-reactions and both of them have positive or negative values?

 

[unique135]

All depends on the type of cell and its cell potential (emf).

If galvanic/voltaic cell, then emf must be positive.
If electrolytic cell, then emf must be negative.


In case of galvanic cell, if there are two negative reduction potentials, one that has a high negative reduction potential flips to give higher positive emf.