Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2178 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Sign of E°cell Predicts Spontaneity
Captions available
The idea
A positive E°cell indicates a spontaneous redox reaction under standard conditions; a negative E°cell indicates the reaction as written is nonspontaneous.
In practice
The zinc-copper cell's E°cell = +1.10 V confirms the reaction proceeds spontaneously as written.
Where people slip
A negative E°cell does not mean the reaction cannot happen at all — the reverse direction is spontaneous instead.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Chemistry