3.1.11
Electrode Potentials
and Electrochemical
Cells
Section 3.1.11 covers electrode potentials and cells (3.1.11.1): the IUPAC convention for half-equations, the standard hydrogen electrode and standard conditions, the conventional representation of cells, the electrochemical series, calculating the EMF of a cell and predicting the direction of simple redox reactions; and commercial applications of electrochemical cells (3.1.11.2): non-rechargeable and rechargeable cells, the lithium ion cell, the alkaline hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell, and the benefits and risks to society.
Revision Notes
5 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Standard Electrode Potentials and the Hydrogen Electrode
The standard electrode potential: half-cells, standard conditions of 298 K, 100 kPa and 1.00 mol dm⁻³, and the standard hydrogen electrode.
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Electrochemical Cells, Cell Diagrams and Cell Potentials
Electrochemical cells: half-cells, the salt bridge, cell diagrams and calculating the EMF.
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The Electrochemical Series and Feasibility of Reactions
The electrochemical series: oxidising and reducing agents, predicting the direction of redox reactions from E⦵ values.
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Commercial Cells: Non-Rechargeable, Rechargeable and Lithium Ion
Non-rechargeable, rechargeable and lithium ion cells: electrode reactions, overall equations and cell voltage from electrode potential data.
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Fuel Cells
Fuel cells: the hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell, electrode half-equations and the overall reaction.
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Electrode Potentials Map
AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
The whole section on one A4 page: half-equations, standard electrode potentials, cells and EMF, the electrochemical series and feasibility, commercial cells, and fuel cells with their benefits and risks.
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3.1.11.1
- iii
understand that cells are used to measure electrode potentials by reference to the standard hydrogen electrode
Revise
3.1.11.2
- ii a
know the simplified positive electrode reaction in a lithium cell: Li+ + CoO2 + e- -> Li+[CoO2]-
Revise - iv
know that fuel cells generate an electric current and do not need to be electrically recharged
Revise - vii
use given electrode data to deduce the reactions occurring in non-rechargeable and rechargeable cells
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