Question detail
What is the purpose of the standard hydrogen electrode in electrochemical cells?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)
Question
- A. It serves as a reference point for measuring electrode potentials.
- B. It acts as a catalyst for redox reactions.
- C. It increases the conductivity of the cell.
- D. It provides a source of hydrogen gas.
Answer
It serves as a reference point for measuring electrode potentials.
Explanation
The correct option is It serves as a reference point for measuring electrode potentials.. It serves as a reference point for measuring electrode potentials. is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to set up and interpret electrochemical cell diagrams. This reasoning is anchored to Standard electrode potentials (A-level only) in Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only), and it separates electrochemical cell from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Misinterpreting Cell Diagrams
Students often confuse the anode and cathode in electrochemical cell diagrams, labeling them incorrectly.
To fix this, remember that the anode is where oxidation occurs (negative electrode) and the cathode is where reduction occurs (positive electrode). Always check the flow of electrons from anode to cathode to confirm their identities. Keep the correction anchored to Standard electrode potentials (A-level only) and the objective: Set up and interpret electrochemical cell diagrams.
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