Question

A chemist is attempting to electroplate copper onto a steel surface using a copper sulfate solution. The standard reduction potential for this reaction is -0.34 V, but the scientist is only seeing a voltage of -0.53 V. Calculate the overpotential for this electrochemical reaction.

Answer 1

The overpotential is the difference between the observed potential and the standard reduction potential for the electrochemical reaction. In this case, the observed potential is -0.53 V, and the standard reduction potential is -0.34 V.Overpotential = Observed potential - Standard reduction potentialOverpotential =  -0.53 V  -  -0.34 V Overpotential = -0.53 V + 0.34 VOverpotential = -0.19 VThe overpotential for this electrochemical reaction is -0.19 V.