Question

Ag2CO3(s) <-> 2Ag+(aq) +CO3^2-(aq) How to calculate E cell potential with Ag(s) as a cathode?

Answer 1

Use the standard hydrogen electrode as the anode and Ag electrode is used as cathode at which reduction takes place.

Ag2CO3(s) +2e^- --->2Ag+(aq) + CO3^2- (aq)

This is a metal salt electrode .

Oxidation occurs at standard hydrogen electrode as shown

H2(g) ----> 2H+ (aq) + 2e-

Potential of this electrode is taken as zero and therefore this is used as a reference to measure potential of other electrode combined with this standard reference . Hence the potential measured in this case will be the potential of the Ag electrode used as cathode containing solid Ag2CO3 as solid and it's ions in the solution .