How do you write the conventional representation of a cell.

i understand that Oxidation in on the left and Reduction is on the Right; |= different state and ||= salt bridge
what i dont understand is what to include, or know which way round in each side to put it. Is there a rule we should know?

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

blue_dalmatian

The best rule I was taught is ‘ROOR’

First and foremost: Your most negative electrode tends to be on the left hand side, so if you keep this in mind, this should help.

Example: SHE cell and a copper cell

R = The strongest reducing agent in the electrodes. For instance, if we’re using a SHE cell and a copper cell, your *platinum electrode* goes first. This tends to be the electrodes of your LHS cell.
O = It’s oxidising agent. So, these tend to be the electrolytes of your LHS cell. For the SHE cell, it goes H2 gas, then H+ solution.

Your salt bridge goes here

O = Your strongest oxidising agent. This is the electrolyte of your RHS cell. In this example, this is the Cu2+ solution of the copper cell

R= The reducing agents associated with the RHS cell. This is the copper electrode

All together, it looks like this:

Pt(s) | H2(g) | H+ (aq) || Cu2+ (aq) | Cu(s) :smile: