Standard Hydrogen Electrode

Standard Hydrogen Electrode MDCAT MCQs with answers

16 past paper MCQs on Standard Hydrogen Electrode, from the Electrochemistry unit of MDCAT Chemistry. The year each question appeared is shown where known; tap “Show answer” for the correct option and a short solution.

Read the notes first Practise the unit as a quiz

1.The stronger the oxidizing agent, the greater is its: (MDCAT 2020)

  1. oxidation potential
  2. reduction potential
  3. redox potential
  4. emf
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Correct answer: (b) reduction potential

An oxidizing agent is itself reduced, so the more readily it takes electrons the higher its standard reduction potential.

2.When SHE is connected with Cu electrode using salt bridge and external wire: (SIBA MDCAT 2025)

  1. Cu reduces
  2. Cu+2 reduces
  3. H+ reduces
  4. H2 reduces
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Correct answer: (b) Cu+2 reduces

Copper stands above hydrogen in the electrochemical series, so the copper ions take the electrons and the copper electrode is the cathode.

3.In a standard hydrogen electrode, the platinum electrode: (SZABMU MDCAT 2025)

  1. Reacts with hydrogen
  2. Provide a surface for oxidation and reduction.
  3. Acts as a salt bridge.
  4. Provide voltage to the circuit.
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Correct answer: (b) Provide a surface for oxidation and reduction.

The platinum is inert; it only carries the electrons and offers a surface for the hydrogen.

4.Which one of the following is a strong electrolyte in solution? (KMU MDCAT 2024)

  1. Acetic acid
  2. Ammonium hydroxide
  3. Carbonic acid
  4. Potassium iodide
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Correct answer: (d) Potassium iodide

Potassium iodide is an ionic salt fully dissociated in water; the other three are weak acids or a weak base.

5.The electrode potential of the standard hydrogen electrode is chosen as (KMU MDCAT 2024)

  1. -1 V
  2. 0 V
  3. 1 V
  4. 2 V
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Correct answer: (b) 0 V

The standard hydrogen electrode is the zero against which every other electrode potential is measured.

6.Zn rod acts as cathode when coupled with magnesium electrode because reduction potential of: (NUMS MDCAT 2024)

  1. Zn > Mg
  2. Zn < Mg
  3. Zn = Mg
  4. Zn = 0
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Correct answer: (a) Zn > Mg

The electrode with the higher reduction potential is reduced, and that is the cathode.

7.Which statement correctly describes the term Standard Electrode Potential? (SZABMU MDCAT 2023)

  1. It is the electrode potential determined at room temperature and pressure
  2. It is the electrode potential determined under standard conditions using StandardHydrogen Electrode as the other electrode
  3. It is the electrode potential of an element and its solution compared to a standard value
  4. It is the potential which is measured when two half cells are connected together
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Correct answer: (b) It is the electrode potential determined under standard conditions using StandardHydrogen Electrode as the other electrode

It is measured under standard conditions against the standard hydrogen electrode.

8.Cu ion takes up 2 electrons to give an electrode potential value of: (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. +0.76 v
  2. -0.32 v
  3. +0.34 v
  4. -0.34 v
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Correct answer: (c) +0.34 v

The standard electrode potential of the copper half cell is $+0.34\,\mathrm{V}$.

9.What is the advantage of using a platinaum foil in the standard hydrogen electrode formation? (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. It acts as catalyst
  2. It does not support the electrode
  3. It provides a large surface area
  4. It decreases the time duration for measurement
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Correct answer: (a) It acts as catalyst

Platinized platinum catalyses the change between hydrogen gas and its ions at the surface.

10.The element has highest reduction potential in electrochemical series Is; (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Zinc
  2. Fluorine
  3. Oxygen
  4. Lithium
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Correct answer: (b) Fluorine

Fluorine is the strongest oxidizing agent, so it stands at the top of the series.

11.Cu, Au and Ag are least reactive, because they have _____ ? (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Negative reduction potential
  2. Negative oxidation potential
  3. Positive reduction potential
  4. Negative electrode potential
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Correct answer: (c) Positive reduction potential

A positive reduction potential means the metal holds its electrons and is not readily oxidized.

12.Potential of Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) is arbitrarily taken as: (NUMS MDCAT 2022)

  1. 10
  2. +1
  3. -1
  4. Zero
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Correct answer: (d) Zero

The hydrogen electrode is taken as zero and everything else is measured against it.

13.Electrode Potential is developed when a metal is dipped into: (PMC Practice 2021)

  1. An acid
  2. A base
  3. In its own ions
  4. Water
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Correct answer: (c) In its own ions

A metal in a solution of its own ions sets up the equilibrium whose potential is measured.

14.The standard electrode potential of hydrogen is arbitrarily taken at 298 K is ________ (UHS MDCAT 2018)

  1. 0.00 volt
  2. 0.10 volt
  3. 10.0 volt
  4. 1.00 volt
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Correct answer: (a) 0.00 volt

The standard hydrogen electrode is taken as zero.

15.The potential difference of an electrochemical cell is measured by: (UHS MDCAT 2018)

  1. Ammeter
  2. Voltmeter
  3. Galvanometer
  4. Calorimeter
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Correct answer: (b) Voltmeter

A high resistance voltmeter reads the emf without drawing appreciable current.

16.During space flights, astronauts obtain water from _____: (UHS MDCAT 2017)

  1. Nickel cadmium cells
  2. Fuel cells
  3. Lead accumulator
  4. Alkaline battery
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Correct answer: (b) Fuel cells

The hydrogen oxygen fuel cell gives electricity and leaves water, which the crew can drink.

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