electrochemistry - Standard Hydrogen Electrode

Could someone, please, explain to me how the standard Hydrogen Electrode works and how it is used to measure electrode potentials? Also, why does it have a potential value of zero?

Answer

The SHE (Standard Hydrogen Electrode) is a standard equipment for measuring the relative electrode potential, as the process of measuring the actual potential is quite difficult. It consists of a platinum foil dipped in 1.0M $\ce{HCl}$ in the presence of $\ce{H2}$ gas at 1 bar of pressure.

Now when the SHE is connected to another half-cell, either oxidation or reduction may occur in the SHE.

Suppose we have to find the electrode potential of a half cell represented by "A" Now, on setting up the cell and connecting a voltmeter we get the standard potential(E_standard) of the cell i.e.
E_standard = E_A - E_H2
Now as our our aim is to just find E_A, we take E_H2 to be equal to 0

Therefore,
E_standard = E_A - 0
or,
E_standard = E_A
The value of E_standard is taken from the voltmeter.
It should be noted that the electrode potential calculated using this method is relative(to the electrode potential of hydrogen). It isn't the absolute value. Also, the potential for the SHE is taken to be 0 for the simplification of the process.