ChemistryElectrochemistryClass 12

Electrochemical series and electrolysis: interactive simulation

E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode. A positive value means the cell reaction as written is spontaneous. In aqueous electrolysis, a cation above hydrogen usually liberates H₂ instead of depositing the metal.

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Try this

  1. 1

    Set the anode to Zn and the cathode to Cu.

    What you should see

    E°cell is +1.10 V, so the Daniell reaction is spontaneous.

  2. 2

    Swap them, and switch to aqueous electrolysis.

    What you should see

    E°cell is negative, so that direction is not a galvanic cell. Aqueous copper(II) still deposits copper because Cu is below hydrogen.

Formulas behind it

Standard cell potential

Ecell∘=Ecathode∘−Eanode∘E^\circ_{\text{cell}} = E^\circ_{\text{cathode}} - E^\circ_{\text{anode}}

Common mistakes

  • Subtracting the potentials in the wrong order. The cathode value comes first.
Stuck on a electrochemical series and electrolysis question?Snap it and get a whiteboard video solution.

FAQ

Why does aqueous NaCl give hydrogen, not sodium, at the cathode?

Sodium is far above hydrogen. Water is reduced instead.

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