Cell Potential
Definition
Cell potential, also known as electromotive force (EMF), is the measure of the potential energy per unit charge available from the oxidation/reduction reactions to drive the reaction. It's measured in volts (V).
Analogy
Think of cell potential like a water slide at an amusement park. The height of the slide represents the cell potential - higher slides have more potential for fun, just like cells with higher potentials have more capacity to do work.
Related terms
Redox Reaction: A type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two species. An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is made up of two half reactions - one oxidative and one reductive.
Electrolytic Cell: A type of electrochemical cell where electrical energy drives a non-spontaneous redox reaction. This is akin to using a pump to push water up a slide against gravity.
Galvanic/Voltaic Cell: A type of electrochemical cell where a spontaneous redox reaction produces electrical energy. This is like letting gravity pull you down the waterslide.
"Cell Potential" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (14)
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the equilibrium constant (K) and cell potential (Ecell)?
Which of the following is true about the cell potential (Ecell) of a galvanic (voltaic) cell?
Which of the following statements is true about the sign of the cell potential (Ecell) in an electrolytic cell?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the cell potential (Ecell) and the work done by the electrochemical cell?
The cell potential is a driving force toward equilibrium; the farther the reaction is from equilibrium, the ____ the magnitude of the cell potential.
Which of the following is true about the effect of temperature on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the effect of concentration on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the effect of pH on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the cell potential (Ecell) and the equilibrium constant (K) in an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the cell potential and the Gibbs free energy change of a reaction?
Which of the following is true about the effect of changing the pressure on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the effect of increasing the concentration of a product on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the effect of changing the pH on the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
Which of the following is true about the relationship between the cell potential and the amount of product formed during electrolysis?
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