For a redox reaction to be spontaneous, the standard cell potential (cell) must be positive.
A positive sum of the two half-reactions' standard potentials
. The reaction will be spontaneous.
The sum of the voltages of the half-reactions is positive.
The element with the greater reduction potential is the one that is reduced.
The relationship between redox potential and free energy is that redox potential is a measure of the tendency of a molecule to lose or gain electrons, which relates to the change in free energy associated with the redox reaction. A more positive redox potential indicates a greater tendency to lose electrons and a more negative redox potential indicates a greater tendency to gain electrons, reflecting the spontaneity of the redox reaction and the associated change in free energy.
A positive sum of the two half-reactions' standard potentials
. The reaction will be spontaneous.
A spontaneous redox reaction is identified by a positive cell potential (E°) when measured under standard conditions, indicating that the reaction can occur without external energy input. This is often determined using the standard reduction potentials of the half-reactions involved; if the total cell potential is positive, the reaction is spontaneous. Additionally, spontaneity can be inferred from the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG), where a negative ΔG signifies that the reaction is thermodynamically favorable.
The reduction potential plus oxidation potential is negative.
The sum of the voltages of the half-reactions is positive.
A redox reaction will not be spontaneous if the standard cell potential (E°) is negative, indicating that the reaction favors the reactants rather than the products. Additionally, high activation energy barriers, unfavorable temperature conditions, or the presence of competing reactions can also hinder spontaneity. In such cases, external energy input may be required to drive the reaction forward.
A redox reaction is spontaneous when the overall change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) is negative. This typically occurs when the standard electrode potentials of the half-reactions involved indicate a favorable direction for electron flow, resulting in a positive cell potential (E°). In simpler terms, a spontaneous redox reaction can occur without external energy input, driven by the inherent chemical properties of the reactants.
spontaneous redox reaction
The element with the greater reduction potential is the one that is reduced.
The element with the greater reduction potential is the one that is reduced.
In a redox reaction involving magnesium (Mg) and copper ions (Cu²⁺), magnesium is oxidized and copper is reduced. The standard reduction potential for Cu²⁺ to Cu is +0.34 V, while the standard reduction potential for Mg²⁺ to Mg is -2.37 V. The overall cell voltage (E°) for the reaction is calculated as the difference between these potentials: E° = E°(reduction) - E°(oxidation) = 0.34 V - (-2.37 V) = +2.71 V. Since this voltage is positive, the reaction is spontaneous under standard conditions, contrary to the premise of being non-spontaneous.
A positive cell potential indicates that the redox reaction is spontaneous under standard conditions. This means that the reactants have a higher free energy than the products, leading to a favorable reaction that can occur without external energy input. Additionally, it suggests that the reduction half-reaction has a greater tendency to gain electrons compared to the oxidation half-reaction losing them.