Question

Define electrochemical series and write its applications?

Answer 1

- Hint: As the word electrochemical series suggests to us that it is a series of chemical elements which tells us about their reactivity. The arrangement of the elements helps us to know about their ability to oxidize or reduce in a solution.

Complete step-by-step solution -

Electrochemical series is a series of chemical elements arranged in order
of their standard aqueous electrode potentials $({{E}^ {0}}) $ at $298$K.
Hydrogen electrode is a standard electrode of which potential is assumed to be zero.
$(E=0.00V) $
It gives us knowledge of reducing and oxidizing the strength of elements.
Top of the series are good reducing agents.
Bottom of the series are good oxidizing agents.

APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES:
Relative strength of oxidizing agents in terms of ${{E}^ {0}} $ values. It gives an idea about which element is stronger oxidizing and which is reducing.
Helps in predicting liberation of hydrogen gas from acids by metals.
Displacement reactions, a metal which is placed higher in series will displace metal from its solution which is lower in series.
Also, it makes calculation of EMF easier.
It tells us whether a reaction is feasible (possible) or not.

Additional info: Nowadays, with the help of this series, the electrochemical splitting of water for production of hydrogen is done.

Note: Remembering this series will help you to predict answers of questions very quickly so there are many pneumonic that helps you to remember it. But the arrangement order must be remembered whether it is increasing or decreasing. Otherwise there may be confusion in selecting the best reducing or oxidizing agent.