Question

What must be true for a spontaneous reaction in an electrochemical cell? The overall cell potential must be positive. The overall cell potential must be negative. The cathode’s standard reduction potential must be positive. The cathode’s standard reduction potential must be negative.

Answer 1

The overall cell potential must be positive.

Step-by-step explanation:

What must be true for a spontaneous reaction in an electrochemical cell?

• The overall cell potential must be positive. YES. This is by convention.

• The overall cell potential must be negative. NO. By convention, a negative cell potential means the cell is not spontaneous.

• The cathode’s standard reduction potential must be positive. NO. It only has to be higher than the anode's standard reduction potential.

• The cathode’s standard reduction potential must be negative. NO. It only has to be higher than the anode's standard reduction potential.