Standard Reduction Potential Definition

Reference electrode for pH measurements

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By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on September 03, 2019

The standard reduction potential is the potential in volts generated by a reduction half-reaction compared to the standard hydrogen electrode at 25 °C, 1 atm and a concentration of 1 M. The standard reduction potential is defined relative to a standard hydrogen electrode, which is assigned the potential 0.00 V.
Standard reduction potentials are denoted by the variable E0.

Example

The reduction of water:
2 H2O + 2 e- → H2 + 2 OH-
has a E0 = 1.776 V

Source

  • Stumm, W.; Morgan, J. J. (1981). Aquatic Chemistry (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons, New York.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Standard Reduction Potential Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-standard-reduction-potential-605686. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Standard Reduction Potential Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-standard-reduction-potential-605686 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Standard Reduction Potential Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-standard-reduction-potential-605686 (accessed May 30, 2023).