oxidation
loss of electrons
reduction
gain of electrons
oxidizing agent
the one being reduced
reducing agent
the one being oxidized
disproportionation reaction
reaction in which a species is both oxidized and reduced
electrochemical cell
a system consisting of electrodes that dip into an electrolyte and in which a chemical reaction either uses or generates an electric current
voltaic cell
electrochemical cell in which a spontaneous reaction generates an electric current
electrolytic cell
electrochemical cell in which an electric current drives a nonspontaneous reaction
Ecell
Eox + Ered
oxidation takes place
at the anode, negative
reduction takes place
at the cathode, positive
nernst equation
Ecell = E°cell - RT/nF lnQ