What does the electric potential in a redox reaction depend on?

In a redox reaction, the electric potential is fundamentally related to the transfer of electrons between the oxidizing and reducing agents. Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons as one species is oxidized (loses electrons) and another is reduced (gains electrons). The tendency of a substance to gain or lose electrons determines its standard reduction potential, which ultimately influences the overall electric potential of the reaction.

The electric potential (also referred to as cell potential) can be understood through the Nernst equation, which incorporates factors such as concentration and temperature but fundamentally derives from the potential associated with the electron transfer processes. Thus, the transfer of electrons is central to understanding the driving force behind the electric potential in a redox reaction.

The other factors may influence the reaction but do not directly determine the electric potential itself. For instance, the concentrations of the reactants can affect the reaction's progress, while temperature and pressure can influence reaction rates and equilibria—but these variables impact the overall kinetics and equilibrium rather than the intrinsic electric potential resulting from the electron transfer.