Deroved the Nernst equation.

Mathematics

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Answer

E=E∘−0.0257 Vnln⁡QE = E^\circ - \frac{0.0257 \, \text{V}}{n} \ln Q

Step-by-step solution

6 steps

The Nernst equation relates the reduction potential of a half-cell to the standard electrode potential, temperature, and the activities (or concentrations) of the reactants and products.

  1. Start with the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG\Delta G) for a redox reaction, which is given by

    ΔG=−nFE\Delta G = -nFE

    where:

    • nn = number of moles of electrons transferred,
    • FF = Faraday's constant (approximately 96485 C/mol96485 \, \text{C/mol}),
    • EE = cell potential.
  2. The relationship between Gibbs free energy and the reaction quotient (QQ) is

    ΔG=ΔG∘+RTln⁡Q\Delta G = \Delta G^\circ + RT \ln Q

    where:

    • ΔG∘\Delta G^\circ = standard Gibbs free energy change,
    • RR = universal gas constant (approximately 8.314 J/(mol \cdotK)8.314 \, \text{J/(mol \cdot K)}),
    • TT = temperature in Kelvin.
  3. At equilibrium, ΔG=0\Delta G = 0, so we can set the two equations equal

    0=ΔG∘+RTln⁡Q0 = \Delta G^\circ + RT \ln Q

    Rearranging gives:

    ΔG∘=−RTln⁡Q\Delta G^\circ = -RT \ln Q
  4. Substitute ΔG∘\Delta G^\circ into the first equation

    −nFE∘=−RTln⁡Q-nFE^\circ = -RT \ln Q
  5. Rearranging this gives the Nernst equation

    E=E∘−RTnFln⁡QE = E^\circ - \frac{RT}{nF} \ln Q
  6. For standard conditions (298 K), we can simplify the equation using RR and FF values

    E=E∘−0.0257 Vnln⁡QE = E^\circ - \frac{0.0257 \, \text{V}}{n} \ln Q

    This is the Nernst equation at standard temperature.

    Final answer:

    E=E∘−RTnFln⁡QE = E^\circ - \frac{RT}{nF} \ln Q

    or at 298 K:

    E=E∘−0.0257 Vnln⁡QE = E^\circ - \frac{0.0257 \, \text{V}}{n} \ln Q

    Bold final answer: E = E^\circ - \frac{0.0257 , V}{n} \ln Q

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