Question

Which of the following gives Standard cell potential of a cell (E^o)?

(a) E^ocathode-E^oanode

(b) E^oanode-E^ocathode

(c) E^ocathode*E^oanode

(d) E^oanode/E^ocathode

This question was posed to me in an internship interview.

This intriguing question originated from Corrosion Principles topic in chapter Corrosion Principles of Corrosion Engineering

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) E^ocathode-E^oanode

The explanation is: A electrochemical cell consist of two electrodes with a potential difference preferentially one acts as a cathode and other as an anode. The standard state of each specific electrode is constant and it measured against the hydrogen electrode at 25°C and 1 atm pressure. And standard cell potential is calculated as E^ocathode-E^oanode.