Hydrogen is 0 by definition, so they can compare everything else to it
So you would use an experiment like one in the image? But there is a voltmeter connected so that you can measure the electrode potential. What you are saying is that there is no voltmeter...so how would you measure the potential difference across it?
Sorry I just don't understand. If the circuit is open then how are the electrons flowing?
They don't flow. You don't need current for the potential difference. When you take an AA battery, even if it is not shorted (not closed circuit) the potential difference between + and - ends exists.
All you need for potential difference is two, separated, different charges. That's the physical definition.
They don't flow. You don't need current for the potential difference. When you take an AA battery, even if it is not shorted (not closed circuit) the potential difference between + and - ends exists.
All you need for potential difference is two, separated, different charges. That's the physical definition.
Thank you. That clears up my confusions a bit. I never liked the physics part of chemistry
In simpler terms the standard hydrogen electrode is used as a reference electrode. This is because the voltmeter is a two way connection, and so with the SHE the overall cell potential could be calculated.
In simpler terms the standard hydrogen electrode is used as a reference electrode. This is because the voltmeter is a two way connection, and so with the SHE the overall cell potential could be calculated.
But if the voltmeter is a two way connection aren't you saying that it's also connected to the other cell?
The higher the input resistance, the better the voltmeter.
Technically all voltmeters measure current that flows through them, so the circuit is never really open. But the higher the resistance, the better the result.
What I mean is that if you want to the determine the electrode potential of one specific element the SHE is used as a reference electrode as the value of the voltage cant be calculated using one cell.