What is the voltage of an electrolytic cell with nickel and copper electrodes?

1 Answer
Al E.
Dec 28, 2017

The voltage is the cell's electromotive force derived from the reduction potentials of each cell, here we have,

#Ni^(2+)(aq) + 2e^(-) to Ni(s)# where #E = -0.23V#
#Cu^(2+)(aq) + 2e^(-) to Cu(s)# where #E = 0.34V#

Quantitatively, this is saying copper ions are more easily reduced than nickel ions. Hence, the cell's reaction would be,

#Cu^(2+)(aq) + Ni(s) rightleftharpoons Ni^(2+)(aq) + Cu(s)#, where

#E = E_("red") - E_("ox")#
#therefore E^° = 0.57V#

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