Chemistry · Electrochemical cells: Electrolytic and Galvanic cells, different types of electrodes, electrode potentials including standard electrode potential, half-cell and cell reactions

The reduction potential of an electrode can be increased by:

The reduction potential of an electrode can be increased by:

  • A. increasing the area of the electrode
  • B. decreasing the temperature
  • C. increasing the temperature
  • D. decreasing the concentration of metal ions

Step-by-step solution

According to the Nernst equation, E = E° + (RT/nF) ln[M^n+]. For typical concentrations less than 1 M, ln[M^n+] is negative, so decreasing temperature reduces the magnitude of the negative term, thereby increasing E. Electrode area does not affect reduction potential as it is an intensive property.
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