8 The Thermodynamics of
Electrochemical Systems
PRINCIPAL FACTS AND IDEAS
1. Thermodynamic relations can be used to obtain information about
electrochemical systems.
2. The effects of the electric potential must be included in the chemical
potentials of substances with charged particles.
3. In an electrochemical cell, a flow of current is accompanied by the
progress of a chemical reaction.
4. In an electrochemical cell, the chemical reaction that occurs is physically
divided into two half-reactions, which take place at different electrodes.
5. Electrochemical data can be used to obtain thermodynamic information
about chemical reactions.
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