What type of reference electrode is classified as pseudo?

A pseudo reference electrode is one that does not maintain a constant potential and is often used in specific scenarios or for specialized applications. In the context of cathodic protection and electrochemistry, the zinc electrode is considered a pseudo reference electrode.

Zinc electrodes can be influenced by various factors such as concentration changes, temperature variations, and the specific environment in which they are used. This variability is what qualifies them as "pseudo" because they do not provide the stable reference potential that true reference electrodes, like silver-silver chloride or calomel electrodes, typically offer.

While silver-silver chloride, mercury-metric, and calomel electrodes are recognized for their stable potentials, the zinc electrode’s characteristic of being susceptible to these fluctuations makes it distinct as a pseudo reference electrode in specific applications, especially in cathodic protection measurements where its potential may change based on the state of the environment or the setup of the circuit.