## electrolytic cell

$E_{cell} = E_{cell}^{\circ}-\frac{RT}{nF}\ln Q$

005199302
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### electrolytic cell

Why is it that the species with the greater reduction potential is preferentially reduced?

Rogelio Bazan 1D
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:01 am

### Re: electrolytic cell

To my understanding, if a species has a greater reduction potential then this refers to its electronegativity. If a species is said to have greater reduction potential then it is more electronegative, as such it is going to be more likely to pull electrons off of another species with lower electronegativity. Which is why it is preferentially reduced as it has a 'higher reduction potential' as in has a higher probability of gaining electrons rather than losing electrons. Hope this helps.

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