Why are standard electrode potentials affected by the nature of the electrode?
At least partly by the ease with which electrons are added/removed from the electrode material.
The options are :
Different metals have different electrical conductivities.
Different metals have different densities.
Different metals have different specific heat capacities.
Different metals have different oxidation or reduction potentials.
Standard electrode potentials are affected by the nature of the electrode because the electrode material influences the kinetics of the redox reaction.
The standard electrode potential (E°) is a measure of the tendency of an electrode to gain or lose electrons during a redox reaction. It represents the relative strength of the oxidizing or reducing agent in a half-cell.
When an electrode is immersed in a solution containing its corresponding oxidized or reduced species, a redox reaction takes place. The reaction rate, or the speed at which the reaction occurs, is influenced by the characteristics of the electrode material.
Different electrode materials have different surface properties, such as composition, crystal structure, and surface area. These properties can affect the rate of electron transfer between the electrode and the species in solution.
For example, if a metal electrode has a high surface area, it provides more active sites for the redox reaction to occur, increasing the reaction rate. On the other hand, if a metal electrode has a passivating layer or a low surface area, it can hinder the electron transfer and decrease the reaction rate.
Additionally, the electrode material can also affect the stability of the ions in solution and the solubility of reactants and products. This can further influence the overall redox reaction and, consequently, the standard electrode potential.
Therefore, the nature of the electrode material plays a significant role in determining the standard electrode potential, as it affects the kinetics and thermodynamics of the redox reaction at the electrode surface.
My answer agrees with A.
D is true, also, but my interpretation of that is that answer D simply restates the question.