What is calomel reference electrode?
A calomel electrode is a type of reference electrode that is based on reactions between mercury (I) chloride (calomel) and elemental mercury. These electrodes are commonly used in used in voltmeters and pH meters. This permits electrical contact with a solution outside the electrode.
Why calomel electrode is used as a reference electrode?
Calomel electrode: This reference electrode consists of a mercury and mercury-chloride molecules. This electrode can be relatively easier to make and maintain compared to the SHE. This a widely used reference electrode because it is inexpensive and not as toxic as the Calomel electrode that contains mercury.
What are various types of reference electrodes?
Several types of reference electrodes exist.
- Silver/Silver Chloride Reference Electrodes.
- Calomel Reference Electrodes.
- Hydrogen Reference Electrodes.
- Double Junction Reference Electrodes.
- Liquid Junction Reference Electrodes.
What is used in calomel electrode?
Corrosionpedia Explains Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE) A saturated calomel electrode is a reference electrode consisting of mercury and mercury-chloride molecules. It is composed of a solid paste of Hg2Cl2 and liquid elemental mercury attached to a rod that is immersed in a saturated KCl solution.
What are the advantages of calomel electrode?
Advantages of calomel electrode: It is easy to set up and easily reproducible. It is convenient and easy to transport. It is very compact and smaller in size requires little space. No separate salt bridge is required as it has already a side tube containing KCl solution.
What are the components of calomel electrode?
The aqueous phase in contact with the mercury and the mercury(I) chloride (Hg2Cl2, “calomel”) is a saturated solution of potassium chloride in water. The electrode is normally linked via a porous frit to the solution in which the other electrode is immersed. This porous frit is a salt bridge.
What is purpose of reference electrode?
Reference electrodes are used to set the relative potential of a solution in an electrochemical cell and are analogous to the ground node of an electric circuit.
Where is calomel used?
Calomel is used as the interface between metallic mercury and a chloride solution in a saturated calomel electrode, which is used in electrochemistry to measure pH and electrical potentials in solutions.
What was calomel used for?
Calomel, or mercurous chloride, probably originated inChina and was used by Paracelsian physicians in the 16th century. It was used to treat malaria and yellow fever, and a preparation called “wormchocolate” or “worm candy” was given to patients infested with helminths.
How is calomel electrode constructed?
Calomel Electrode is made up of a glass tube with a side tube at the bottom of the glass tube mercury is placed above that a paste of Mercury and Mercurous chloride is placed. Mercurous chloride is nothing but calomel so the commercial name of Mercurous Chloride is Calomel.