suppose that I have the following electrode potentials
(Cu2+) + 2e- --------> Cu E = 0337
(CU1+) + 1e- ------------> Cu E = 0521
and I want to find
(Cu2+) + e- ----------> (CU1+) E =?
I can multiply the first potential by two and subtract the second and get the correct value
2x 0.337 to 0.521 = 0.153
now my question is because this is so?
I've seen several similar load and I understand the procedure, but i don`t know the reason
I am told that has to do with "the theory of electron volt" but have not found anything about it
appreciate any help
excuse my English
Correction: You shouldn't multiply by two because the number of electrons transferred doesn't affect the electromotive force, E. E is simply the Gibbs energy in disguise:
G = -vEF, where v is the coefficient of the electrons in the half reaction. Therefore, when you multiply a half reaction by a numerical factor, k, G is increased by a factor of k and the number of electrons is increased by a factor of k, and so E is unaffected.