📘 IB Understanding
Half-cells arranged in order of their E° values form the electrochemical series. This allows us to predict the relative strengths of oxidising and reducing agents.
Reading the Series
💡 Key Rules
- More positive E° = stronger oxidising agent (species on left of half-equation)
- More negative E° = stronger reducing agent (species on right of half-equation)
- The anti-clockwise rule: the species at the top-left (strongest oxidiser) will react with the species at the bottom-right (strongest reducer)
📋 Exam Tip
In the IB data booklet, half-equations are listed as reductions. To identify the reducing agent, look at the product side (right) of the most negative E° value.