REVERSIBLE ELECTRODE REACTION

"A qualitative term for a fast electrode reaction. There are, unfortunately, several meanings attributed to the term ""reversibility,"" resulting in possibly confusing situation. An electrode reaction is considered reversible in the ""electrochemical sense"" if the reaction is fast, that is, if the exchange current density of the electrode reaction is large. In contrast, in the ""chemical sense,"" reversibility indicates that the reaction can proceed both in forward and backward (reverse) direction. Also called nernstian reaction. Opposite: irreversible electrode reaction. See also quasi-reversible electrode reaction. Both of the above described meanings of reversibility are different from the meaning in the ""thermodynamic sense."" "