Galvanic cell bridge zinc ions leave and anions enter the zinc half-cell. In the copper half-cell, the copper ions plate onto the copper electrode (reduction), taking up electrons that leave the external conductor. Since the Cu ions (cations) plate onto the copper electrode, the latter is called the cathode. Correspondingly the zinc electrode is the anode. The electrochemical reaction is: In addition, electrons flow through the external conductor, which is the primary application of the galvanic cell. As discussed under #Cell voltage, the emf of the cell is the difference of the half-cell potentials, a measure of the relative ease of dissolution
Standard hydrogen electrode Standard hydrogen electrode The Standard hydrogen electrode (abbreviated SHE), is a redox electrode which forms the basis of the thermodynamic scale of oxidation-reduction potentials. Its absolute electrode potential is estimated to be at 25 °C, but to form a basis for comparison with all other electrode reactions, hydrogen's standard electrode potential ("E") is declared to be zero volts only at 298K. Potentials of any other electrodes are compared with that of the standard hydrogen electrode at the same temperature. Hydrogen electrode is based on the redox half cell: This redox reaction occurs at a platinized platinum electrode. The electrode is