Electrochemical series

An ordering of redox couples by their standard electrode potentials, measured relative to a reference electrode. It helps compare their tendencies to gain or lose electrons under standard conditions.

Redox reaction: A chemical reaction in which electrons are transferred and oxidation states change. Each entry represents the reduction direction of a redox reaction and its reverse oxidation.
Galvanic cell: An electrochemical cell that produces electrical energy from a spontaneous redox reaction. Couples farther apart in the series can provide a larger cell voltage.
Electrolysis: The use of electrical energy to drive a nonspontaneous chemical reaction. The ranking identifies which reactions require an external voltage to proceed.
Metal activity series: A qualitative ranking of metals by their tendency to react, especially by losing electrons. It resembles a metal-only electrochemical series but is not a table of standard potentials.
Redox couple: An oxidized and reduced form of a chemical species related by electron transfer. The series ranks these paired forms rather than isolated substances.
Cell potential: The electrical potential difference between the electrodes of an electrochemical cell. Subtracting the anode potential from the cathode potential gives a cell's standard voltage.
Corrosion: The deterioration of a material through chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment. Potential differences help predict which metals are vulnerable to oxidation.
Galvanic series: An empirical ranking of materials by corrosion potential in a specified environment. Unlike the standard series, it depends on the electrolyte and material surface conditions.
Standard electrode potential: The potential of a half-cell measured against a reference electrode under standard conditions. Its value determines where each redox couple appears in the series.
Electrochemical cell notation: A compact symbolic representation of the phases and interfaces in an electrochemical cell. The series helps identify which written half-cell belongs at the anode or cathode.

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