Inert electrode

Definition

An inert electrode is a conductive material that does not participate in the chemical reaction of an electrochemical cell. It serves as a surface for the transfer of electrons.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inert electrodes are commonly made from materials like platinum and graphite.
2. They are used in both galvanic cells and electrolytic cells where they do not react with the electrolyte or products of the reaction.
3. Their main function is to provide a surface for oxidation or reduction reactions to take place.
4. Inert electrodes can be used in situations where the reactants or products are gases, such as in hydrogen fuel cells.
5. The choice of inert electrode material depends on factors like conductivity, cost, and chemical stability.

Review Questions

• What materials are commonly used to make inert electrodes?
• Why are inert electrodes important in electrochemical cells?
• How do inert electrodes differ from reactive electrodes?

Related terms

Galvanic Cell:

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through redox reactions occurring at two separate electrodes.

Electrolyte:

A substance containing free ions that make it electrically conductive; often used as the medium in which electrochemical reactions occur.

Oxidation:

The loss of electrons by a molecule, atom, or ion in a chemical reaction, increasing its oxidation state.