Part of JPC-03 — Electrochemistry: Nernst, Conductance & Cells

The Nernst Equation — Derivation and Application

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The Nernst equation relates cell potential to non-standard conditions: E = EstandardE_{standard} - RTnF\frac{RT}{nF}ln(Q). At 25 degrees C (298 K), this simplifies to E = EstandardE_{standard} - 0.0592n\frac{0.0592}{n}log(Q). The variable n is the number of electrons transferred in the balanced cell reaction. Q is the reaction quotient with products over reactants. For a concentration cell (same electrodes, different concentrations), EstandardE_{standard} = 0, so E = -0.0592n\frac{0.0592}{n}log(Q). The cell drives toward equalising concentrations. At equilibrium, E = 0, giving EstandardE_{standard} = 0.0592n\frac{0.0592}{n}log(K). This connects electrochemistry to equilibrium constants. Common error: using the wrong value of n or forgetting to balance the equation first.

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