Discuss the method to determine the cell potential of any cell when a standard hydrogen electrode is considered as the cathode with a suitable example.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) At $298 \ K$,the $EMF$ of a cell constructed by taking the standard hydrogen electrode $(SHE)$ as the cathode (reference half-cell) and the other half-cell as the anode,gives the reduction potential of the other half-cell.
General cell representation:
$M_{(s)} | M_{(aq)}^{n+} (1 \ M) || H_{(aq)}^{+} (1 \ M) | \frac{1}{2} H_{2_{(g)}} (1 \ bar) | Pt_{(s)}$
Using the formula $E^{\circ}_{cell} = E^{\circ}_{cathode} - E^{\circ}_{anode}$,since $E^{\circ}_{cathode} = E^{\circ}_{H^{+}/H_2} = 0.0 \ V$,we get $E^{\circ}_{cell} = -E^{\circ}_{anode}$.
Example: Zinc half-cell as anode and $SHE$ as cathode:
$Zn_{(s)} | Zn_{(aq)}^{2+} (1 \ M) || H_{(aq)}^{+} (1 \ M) | H_{2_{(g)}} (1 \ bar) | Pt_{(s)}$
The measured $E^{\circ}_{cell}$ is $-0.76 \ V$. Therefore,the standard reduction potential of $Zn^{2+}/Zn$ is $E^{\circ}_{Zn^{2+}/Zn} = -0.76 \ V$.
When the $SHE$ is on the right side (cathode),the other half-cell acts as the anode,and the cell potential is negative if the metal is more reactive than hydrogen.
Cathode reaction: $H^{+}_{(aq, 1 \ M)} + e^{-} \rightarrow \frac{1}{2} H_{2_{(g)}} (1 \ bar)$
Overall reaction: $Zn_{(s)} + 2H^{+}_{(aq)} \rightarrow Zn^{2+}_{(aq)} + H_{2_{(g)}}$

Explore More

Similar Questions

If standard reduction potentials $(E^0)$ of $(Al^{+3}(aq)|Al(s))$, $(Fe^{+2}(aq)|Fe(s))$, $(Cu^{+2}(aq)|Cu(s))$ and $(Ag^{+1}(aq)|Ag(s))$ are $-1.66 \text{ V}$, $-0.44 \text{ V}$, $+0.34 \text{ V}$ and $+0.79 \text{ V}$ respectively, which of the following reactions is non-spontaneous?

$I_2 + 2e^{-} \to 2I^{-}$; $E^{o} = 0.54 \ V$
$Cl_2 + 2e^{-} \to 2Cl^{-}$; $E^{o} = 1.36 \ V$
$Mn^{3+} + e^{-} \to Mn^{2+}$; $E^{o} = 1.50 \ V$
$Fe^{3+} + e^{-} \to Fe^{2+}$; $E^{o} = 0.77 \ V$
Which of the following is a correct statement?

The reduction potential values are given below. Which is the strongest reducing agent? $Al^{3+}/Al = -1.67 \, V, Mg^{2+}/Mg = -2.34 \, V, Cu^{2+}/Cu = +0.34 \, V, I_2/2I^- = +0.53 \, V$

The electrode potentials are given as follows:
$Fe_{(aq)}^{3+} + e^- \to Fe_{(aq)}^{2+}$; $E^o = 0.771 \, V$
$I_{2(s)} + 2e^- \to 2I_{(aq)}^-$; $E^o = 0.536 \, V$
For the cell reaction $2Fe_{(aq)}^{3+} + 2I_{(aq)}^- \to 2Fe_{(aq)}^{2+} + I_{2(s)}$,the value of $E^o_{cell}$ is:

Given that $E^o_{K^{+}/K} = -2.93 \ V$,$E^o_{Fe^{2+}/Fe} = -0.44 \ V$,$E^o_{Zn^{2+}/Zn} = -0.76 \ V$,and $E^o_{Cu^{2+}/Cu} = 0.34 \ V$. Based on this data,which of the following is the strongest reducing agent?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo