What is cell potential?

Cell potential, often denoted as Ecell, is a measure of the electric potential difference between two half-cells in an electrochemical cell. It represents the ability of the cell to drive an electric current through an external circuit.

In simpler terms, it's the voltage produced by a chemical reaction occurring in an electrochemical cell. This voltage arises from the difference in the ability of the two half-reactions to donate or accept electrons. The greater the difference in the tendency of the two half-reactions to give up or accept electrons, the higher the cell potential.

Cell potential is measured in volts (V) and can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on the relative tendency of the two half-reactions involved. A positive cell potential indicates that the reaction is spontaneous and can produce electrical energy, while a negative cell potential indicates a non-spontaneous reaction that requires an external energy source to proceed.