The determination of a cell’s voltage under standard conditions, given a specific chemical process, involves calculating its standard cell potential. This calculation relies on the standard reduction potentials of the half-reactions involved. For example, if a redox reaction consists of the oxidation of zinc and the reduction of copper ions, one would use the standard reduction potentials of Zn2+/Zn and Cu2+/Cu to arrive at the overall cell potential.
Accurately predicting the electromotive force of a cell is vital for understanding electrochemical processes. Such computations are essential in fields such as battery development, corrosion prevention, and electroplating. Historically, the systematic tabulation of standard reduction potentials has allowed for the design and optimization of numerous electrochemical technologies.