Electrode Potential

Electrode potential, E, in electrochemistry, according to an IUPAC definition, is the electromotive force of a cell built of two electrodes:

• on the left-hand side is the standard hydrogen electrode, and
• on the right-hand side is the electrode the potential of which is being defined.

By convention:

E_Cell := E_Cathode − E_Anode

From the above, for the cell with the standard hydrogen electrode (potential of 0 by convention), one obtains:

E_Cell = E_Right − 0 = E_Electrode

The left-right convention is consistent with the international agreement that redox potentials be given for reactions written in the form of reduction half-reactions.

Electrode potential is measured in volts (V).