so with this question, I learn that the hydrogen electrode is standardised as 0 volts. e value of iron -0.44. therefore I think the answer should be Fe|Fe(2+)||(H+)|(h2)|pt. But the answer is Pt|H2|H+ ||Fe2+|Fe. I don't get it.
so with this question, I learn that the hydrogen electrode is standardised as 0 volts. e value of iron -0.44. therefore I think the answer should be Fe|Fe(2+)||(H+)|(h2)|pt. But the answer is Pt|H2|H+ ||Fe2+|Fe. I don't get it.
I think on chem guide he talks about how SHE is written on left.
OK. It derives from the actual definition of electrode potential. This is from the IUPAC definition:
The so-called electrode potential of an electrode is defined as the emf of a cell in which the electrode on the left is a standard hydrogen electrode and the electrode on the right is the electrode in question. For example, for the silver/silver chloride electrode (written Cl-(aq)|AgCl|Ag) the cell in question is:
Pt|H2(g, p = p°)|HCl(aq)¦HCl(aq)|AgCl|Ag
The cell potential is always measured as the cell is written, so in this case it is +0.20V. The positive sign indicates that the cell reaction is spontaneous as shown and will proceed, with the anode on the left hand side and the cathode on the right hand side.
In summary:
The cell convention shows a spontaneous cell with the anode (oxidation) on the left and the cathode (reduction) on the right. This is spontaneous as written.
If the cell is written the other way round it will not be spontaneous (i.e. the reaction will not happen)
The electrode potential is defined as the cell potential measured when the SHE is on the left hand side of the conventional representation. So if the conventional forward reaction is non-spontaneous, then the reverse reaction will occur and the cell potential, and hence the electrode potential, will be negative as written.