Cell Potential (Ecell)

Definition

Cell potential, also known as electromotive force (emf), measures how much voltage difference there is between two half-cells in an electrochemical cell. It indicates how much driving force there is for a redox reaction to occur.

Related terms

Voltage Difference: The difference in electric potential between two points, which motivates electron flow forming current.

Galvanic Cell:

Also known as voltaic cells, these are devices in which spontaneous oxidation-reduction reactions produce electrical energy.

Nernst Equation:

An equation that relates the reduction potential of an electrochemical reaction (half-cell or full cell reaction) to the standard electrode potential, temperature, and activities (often approximated by concentrations) of the chemical species undergoing reduction and oxidation.