87.11 Polarization of electrode 7.11.2 Thermodynamics of irreversible cell Galvanic cell Electrolytic cell c. re re a,ir a, re a,Ir a, re Under irreversible conditions, electrode potential differs from its reversible value this phenomenon is defined as polarization The discrepancy between reversible potential and irreversible potential is termed as overpotential(n). By definition, overpotential always has positive value.Galvanic cell Electrolytic cell c, ir = c, re − c a, ir = a, re + a c, ir = c, re − c a, ir = a, re + a Under irreversible conditions, electrode potential differs from its reversible value, this phenomenon is defined as polarization. The discrepancy between reversible potential and irreversible potential is termed as overpotential (). By definition, overpotential always has positive value. 7.11.2 Thermodynamics of irreversible cell §7.11 Polarization of electrode