Polarization curves for the hydrogen evolution reaction on platinum and rhodium were determined in 1M H2SO4 solution stirred rapidly with helium.Here the partial pressure of hydrogen gas above the solution was virtually equal to zero. Experimental results indicated that for both metals the ratedetermining step in the lowest current density range was primarily the electrochemical desorption of hydrogen atoms. As the current density increased the rate-determining step changed to one that was primarily controlled by atomic combination. Kinetic equations were derived and the calculated relationships compared favorably with the experimental results.When the partial pressure of hydrogen on an inert hydrogen electrode, e.g., Pt/H~, is dropped to zero, the reversible 2H++ 2e-= H~ reaction no longer occurs on the metal surface. If under these conditions the noble metal electrode is cathodized, hydrogen will be evolved, and if the hydrogen partial pressure above the solution is maintained virtually equal to zero, by sweeping out the evolved hydrogen with an inert gas, as fast as it is formed, the rate of the reverse ionization reaction will effectively be equal to zero. Breiter and Clamroth (1) used this fact to study the hydrogen evolution rate-determining steps on Pt and Au electrodes. In this investigation this technique, with rigorous control of electrode cleanliness and precision of potential measurements, was used to determine the rate-controlling steps on Pt and Rh electrodes.