You searched for: “calomel electrodes
calomel electrode (s) (noun), calomel electrodes (pl)
1. An electrode that develops a standard electric potential.

The calomel electrode is used as a standard in determining the pH (potential of hydrogen) of fluids which refers to a measure of acidity or alkalinity in which the pH of pure water is 7, with lower numbers indicating acidity and higher numbers indicating alkalinity.

2. An electrode consisting of mercury surrounded by a suspension of calomel (a colorless, white or brown tasteless compound, used as a fungicide or insecticide; formerly, as a purgative for purging the bowels; especially, as a laxative in a solution of potassium chloride of a specified strength.

The calomel electrode gives a highly reproducible potential, and is used as a standard, often as a half cell with a glass electrode for determining pH, or with a platinum electrode for establishing redox (oxidation-reduction) potentials or any chemical reactions in which electrons are transferred.

This entry is located in the following unit: electro-, electr-, electri- (page 2)