Question

The standard hydrogen electrode has zero electrode potential because

• A. Hydrogen is easiest to oxidize
• B. The electrode potential is assumed to be zero for standard hydrogen electrode
• C. Hydrogen has only one electron
• D. Hydrogen is lightest element

Answer 1

The correct option is B The electrode potential is assumed to be zero for standard hydrogen electrode

As it is impossible to calculate individual electrode potentials and easy to calculate the potential difference, we assumed standard hydrogen electrode has electrode potential equal to zero. So now the potential difference we calculate with standard hydrogen electrode is the electrode potential of the electrode itself.