REVERSIBLE AND IRREVERSIBLE

ELECTRODE
The chemical reaction of the cell stops when an exactly equal and opposing emf is
applied.
The chemical reaction of the cell is reversed and the current flows in opposite
direction when the opposing emf is greater than that of the cell.
The cell which obeys the above conditions are called Reversible cell.
Any other cell which does not obey above conditions are called Irreversible cells.
E.g., Volta cell
Types of electrodes
• Metal- Metal ion electrodes
• Gas electrodes
• Metal -insoluble metal salt- common ion electrode
• Redox Electrode
• Ion selective Electrodes
Metal –Metal Ion Electrode
• Metal Is dipped in its own solution
• Eg. Zn/Zn2+ and Cu/Cu2+
• Electrode potential depends upon the logarithm of the concentration of ions
Standard hydrogen electrode
Gas electrode
• Gas is passed through a inert Pt immersed in its own ion solution
Eg. SHE chlorine electrode Oxygen Electrode
Pt/H2(g )(1atm)/H+(aq) (1M) Pt/Cl2(g )(1atm)/Cl-(aq) (1M) Pt/O2(g )(1atm)/OH-(aq) (1M)
• Depends upon the logarithm of ion concentration and pressure at which gas is bubbled.
Metal -insoluble metal salt- common ion electrode

• Eg. Calomel electrode- Hg/Hg2Cl2/Cl-

• Ag/AgCl/Cl-
• Depends upon the log of common ion concentration
Redox electrode

• Pt electrode dipped in a redox solution

• Solution containing metal ion of two oxidation states
• E.g.
Ion selective method
• electrodes made up of ion specific memberane.
• Memberane – glass, crystalline or io exchange resin
• Glass- ions like H+,Na+,Ag+ etc..
Single electrode potential
Helmholtz electrical
Double layer • Separation of potential difference-electrode
potential
• Metal looses e-= oxidation potential
• Metal gains electron- reduction potential
• Eletrode potential depends upon
1. nature of the metal and its ions
2. Concentration of ions in the solution.
3. Temperature
Electrode potential
• The tendency of metallic electrode to loose or gain electrons when it
is in contact with its own salt solution
• Electrode looses electrons- oxidation potential
• Gains electrons – reduction potential
• For a same electrode oxidation a reduction potentials have the same
value but the sign is different.
• Measured in voltz
REFERENCE ELECTRODE
• A reference electrode is an electrode of standard potential with which we can
compare the potentials of other electrodes.
• Its potential is constant and does not depend on the analyte.
• It can both acts as anode and cathode depending upon the nature of the other
electrode.
• There are two types of reference electrodes
1. Primary reference electrodes. E.g., SHE
2. Secondary reference electrodes: Calomel electrode, glass electrode etc.