Formulation or short notation of galvanic cells

A galvanic cell is represented by a formula or short notation that includes electrodes, aqueous solutions of ions and other species which may or may not be involved in the cell reaction. The following conventions are used to write the cell notation.

i. The metal electrodes or the inert electrodes are denoted by vertical lines placed at the ends of the formula or the short notation: the anode (-) is written at the extreme left and the cathode (+) at the extreme right.

ii. The insoluble species, if any, or gases are placed in the interior position adjacent to the metal electrodes.

iii. The aqueous solutions of ions are placed at the middle of the cell formula.

iv. A single vertical line between two phases indicates the phase boundary — it indicates the direct contact between them.

v. A double vertical line between two solutions indicates that they are connected by a salt bridge.

vi. The additional information, such as concentration of solutions and gas pressures, is also given.

vii. A single half cell is written in the order: aqueous solution of ions first, and then the solid electrode — for example $\mathrm{Zn^{2+}\,(1M)\ \vert\ Zn\,(s)}$. This order is reversed when the electrode acts as anode in the cell. …