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Electrochemistry & Redox

Redox Couple

The oxidised and reduced forms of the same species, considered together as a conjugate pair.

Formula / equation Ox / Red
Unit V

In depth

Every half-reaction defines a couple, written with the oxidised form first and separated by a slash. Each couple has a characteristic standard potential, and comparing two couples' potentials predicts immediately which direction the overall reaction will take.

Examples in the real world

Zn²⁺/Zn at −0.76 V and Cu²⁺/Cu at +0.34 V, whose combination gives a 1.10 V cell.