## Flipping the sign

$\Delta G^{\circ} = -nFE_{cell}^{\circ}$

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vanessas0123
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### Flipping the sign

When would you flip the sign in a half reaction? Do you flip the sign of the given reduction potential is the reaction is oxidation?

WesleyWu_1C
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### Re: Flipping the sign

Usually they give you the reduction potential for a half reaction in the table, so if you want the oxidation potential, all you do is flip the half reaction which switches the sign for E (naught).

chrisleung-2J
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### Re: Flipping the sign

Yes, if you are given the reduction equation and reduction potential, you would flip the equation and the sign of Eº for the oxidation equation and oxidation potential.

Nikki Razal 1L
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### Re: Flipping the sign

you flip the sign when you are given the reduction potential of a reaction but you have an oxidation reaction you are trying to find the Ecell for

Lauren Stack 1C
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### Re: Flipping the sign

Tabled values are typically given in terms of reduction. In order to calculate the entire redox reaction value, you must flip the sign on the half reaction that is showing oxidation.

sarahsalama2E
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### Re: Flipping the sign

Additionally, just wanted to add that you can think of the E cell as the reduction happening at the cathode - the reduction happening at the anode, as well as E cathode - E anode.

Callum Guo 1H
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### Re: Flipping the sign

E is usually given in reduction reactions. If you have an oxidation reaction, you flip it.

Jasmine W 1K
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### Re: Flipping the sign

E is usually given for reduction reactions. When you need to find E for an oxidation reaction, you flip the sign for the equivalent reduction half-reaction.

Leyna Dang 2H
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### Re: Flipping the sign

E is typically given for reduction reactions. When you're expected to find the E of an oxidation reaction, you're supposed to flip the sign for the oxidation half-reaction

san_2F
Posts: 118
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Flipping the sign

in appendix 2B, the reduction values are given, so when you need oxidation values, you have to flip the sign, but rather than E cell= E cathode- E anode, it would be E cell= E cathode + E anode.

John Liang 2I
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: Flipping the sign

You flip the sign when you want to flip the rxn around. Usually you do this for the oxidized half rxn.

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