Science Common Sense

1752 - What is the relationship between standard reduction potential and the electromotive force of an electrochemical cell.

The standard reduction potential and the electromotive force (EMF) of an electrochemical cell are closely related.

The standard reduction potential is the energy needed to add electrons to an oxidized species (a species that has lost electrons) in a solution at standard conditions. This energy is measured in volts (V).

The electromotive force (EMF) of a cell is the maximum energy that a cell can produce in volts (V).

The relationship between them is:

EMF of a cell = Standard reduction potential of the cathode (where reduction occurs) - Standard reduction potential of the anode (where oxidation occurs).

In other words, EMF is like the "voltage" of a battery, while the standard reduction potential is like the individual "voltages" of the two ends (anode and cathode) of the battery.

If you know the standard reduction potentials of the cathode and anode, you can calculate the EMF of a cell!