What is "electrode potential"

n. (context chemistry physics English) the potential difference of a half-reaction which occurs across a reversible cell made up of any electrode and a standard hydrogen electrode

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:

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

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).