What is cell potential?

Cell potential is a measure of the ability of a cell to generate an electrical current. It is typically expressed in volts and is a result of the difference in the reduction potentials of the two half-cells in an electrochemical cell. The higher the difference in reduction potentials, the higher the cell potential.

Cell potential can be calculated using the Nernst equation, which takes into account the concentrations of the reactants and products in the cell, as well as the standard reduction potentials of the half-reactions. Cell potential can also be affected by factors such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of catalysts or inhibitors.

A positive cell potential indicates that the cell reaction is spontaneous and can produce electrical energy, while a negative cell potential indicates that the cell reaction is non-spontaneous and requires an external energy source to proceed. Cell potential is an important factor in determining the efficiency and performance of electrochemical cells, such as batteries and fuel cells.