A type of chemical reaction

One element is replaced by another in a compound

Reactions involving the transfer of electrons

Occur at the electrodes in an electrochemical cell

Involves the movement of ions in solution

Can occur in electrolytic cells or galvanic cells

External voltage is applied

Ions move towards electrodes of opposite charge

Displacement of ions can lead to new compound formation

Chemical energy is converted to electrical energy

Spontaneous redox reactions occur

Displacement of electrons from anode to cathode

Oxidation occurs

An element is displaced by another with higher reactivity

Reduction occurs

An element is displaced by another with lower reactivity

Concentration of ions in solution

Applied voltage in electrolytic cells

Nature of the electrodes

Electroplating

Purification of metals

Corrosion

Displacement of copper by zinc in a solution

Electroplating with silver

Ranking of elements based on their reactivity

Predicts the direction of displacement reactions

Oxidation at the anode

Reduction at the cathode

Sum of halfcell reactions gives the overall cell reaction