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Sign of E°cell Predicts Spontaneity

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A positive E°cell indicates a spontaneous redox reaction under standard conditions; a negative E°cell indicates the reaction as written is nonspontaneous.

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The zinc-copper cell's E°cell = +1.10 V confirms the reaction proceeds spontaneously as written.

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A negative E°cell does not mean the reaction cannot happen at all — the reverse direction is spontaneous instead.