What term describes the energy difference between the electrodes in an electrochemical cell?

• A. Electrolytic Cell
• B. Cell Potential
• C. Nuclear decay
• D. Radioactivity

Answer: (B)

The energy difference between the electrodes is described by the cell potential, also called electromotive force. It represents the potential difference driving electrons from the anode to the cathode and arises from the different tendencies of the two redox couples to gain or lose electrons. The magnitude tells you how much energy per mole of electrons is available to do electrical work, and it's measured in volts. In standard conditions, E°cell equals the reduction potential of the cathode minus that of the anode, and this ties directly to thermodynamics through ΔG° = −n F E°cell. A positive cell potential indicates a spontaneous galvanic reaction, while an externally powered setup corresponds to conditions where the cell’s natural potential would be unfavorable. The other terms refer to the type of cell or to nuclear phenomena, not the energy difference between electrodes.