1Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
World Journal of Chemical Education.
2014,
Vol. 2 No. 2, 21-25
DOI: 10.12691/wjce-2-2-1
Copyright © 2014 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Algirdas Sulcius. Calculation of Electromotive Force in Redox Processes.
World Journal of Chemical Education. 2014; 2(2):21-25. doi: 10.12691/wjce-2-2-1.
Correspondence to: Algirdas Sulcius, Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania. Email:
algirdas.sulcius@ktu.ltAbstract
Chemistry programs at universities include oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. Based on particular examples the article shows the possibility of application of electromotive force (EMF) calculation to evaluate the possibility for redox reactions to take place and to justify the experimental data. The standard potentials are used for the calculation of EMF of redox processes according to the formula

, However, the standard conditions differ from the conditions under which the real experiment is carried out. Therefore, instead of the standard potentials the author of the paper suggests to use stationary metal potentials which have proved them in practice. The formula for calculation of EMF is replaced by the modified formulas: when metals are dissolving in acids and bases

;in case of galvanic cells and corrosion

. These modified formulas enable more real and precise calculation of EMF of redox processes, what is proved by the provided examples.
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