referansepotentialet

The reference potential, often referred to as the reference electrode, is a crucial component in electrochemistry. It provides a stable and well-defined electrical potential against which other potentials can be measured. This allows for accurate determination of electrode potentials in electrochemical cells and during electrochemical experiments. Without a reference potential, it would be impossible to quantify the electrical driving force of a reaction.

Commonly used reference potentials include the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), the saturated calomel electrode (SCE), and the silver-silver chloride electrode (Ag/AgCl). The SHE is the fundamental standard, defined as having a potential of 0 volts at all temperatures. However, its practical implementation is complex. Consequently, electrodes like SCE and Ag/AgCl, which are more convenient to use and maintain a stable potential relative to the SHE, are widely adopted in laboratories and industrial applications.

The stability of a reference potential is paramount. It should not change significantly with variations in the electrolyte composition or concentration, nor with the passage of current through the electrochemical cell. This stability ensures that any measured potential change is attributable to the working electrode or the electrochemical reaction, rather than a fluctuation in the reference. Understanding and utilizing reference potentials correctly is fundamental to virtually all electrochemical measurements and analyses.