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Lecture 14: The Nernst Equation: - Reading: Zumdahl 11.4 - Outline
Lecture 14: The Nernst Equation: - Reading: Zumdahl 11.4 - Outline
(spontaneous)
Expect driving force for product formation to increase. Therefore DG decreases, and Ecell increases How does Ecell dependend on concentration?
DG = DG + RTln(Q)
However: DG = -nFEcell -nFEcell = -nFEcell + RTln(Q) Ecell = Ecell - (RT/nF)ln(Q) Ecell = Ecell - (0.0591/n)log(Q) The Nernst Equation
Fe2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Cu(s) E1/2 = 0.34 V E1/2 = -0.44 V E1/2 = +0.44 V Ecell = +0.78 V
Fe2+(aq) + 2eFe(s)
Fe(s)
Fe 2+(aq) + 2e-
Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq)
Fe2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Ecell = Ecell - (0.0591/n)log(Q) 0.76 V = 0.78 V - (0.0591/2)log(Q) 0.02 V = (0.0591/2)log(Q) 0.676 = log(Q) 4.7 = Q
4.7 = Q
Q
Cu Fe Q 4.7
2
2 Fe
4.7
0.3
[Fe2+] = 1.4 M
Concentration Cells
Consider the cell presented on the left.
The 1/2 cell reactions are the same, it is just the concentrations that differ.
What if both sides had 1 M concentrations of Ag+? E1/2 would be the same; therefore, Ecell = 0.
E1/2 = ? V
E1/2 = 0.80 V
anode
cathode
0.1 0.1 1
What is Ecell?
Fe2+ + 2eFe Q Fe
2 2
Fe
2 e- transferredn = 2
anode
cathode
0.01 0.1 .1
anode
cathode
Measurement of pH
pH meters use electrochemical reactions. Ion selective probes: respond to the presence of a specific ion. pH probes are sensitive to H+. Specific reactions:
Hg2Cl2(s) + 2eH2(g) Hg2Cl2(s) + H2(g) 2Hg(l) + 2Cl-(aq) E1/2 = 0.27 V 2H+(aq) + 2eE1/2 = 0.0 V
Measurement of pH (cont.)
Hg2Cl2(s) + H2(g) 2Hg(l) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)
PH 2
Cl
constant
Measurement of pH (cont.)
Ecell = Ecell - (0.0591)log[H+] + constant Ecell is directly proportional to log [H+]
electrode
Summary
DG = DG + RTln(Q)
DG = -nFEcell
None of these ideas is separate. They are all connected, and are all derived directly from thermodynamics.