What is the relationship between Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and cell potential (E) i
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the relationship between Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and cell potential (E) in an electrochemical cell?
ΔG = -nFE
ΔG = nFE
ΔG = -E/nF
ΔG = E/nF
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the relationship between Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and cell potential (E) in an electrochemical cell?
Step 1: Understand that Gibbs free energy (ΔG) is a measure of the energy available to do work in a chemical reaction.
Step 2: Know that cell potential (E) is the voltage produced by an electrochemical cell during a reaction.
Step 3: Recognize that there is a mathematical relationship between ΔG and E, which is expressed as ΔG = -nFE.
Step 4: Identify the variables in the equation: n is the number of moles of electrons transferred in the reaction, and F is Faraday's constant (approximately 96485 C/mol).
Step 5: Understand that a negative ΔG indicates a spontaneous reaction, while a positive E indicates a spontaneous reaction in the electrochemical cell.
Step 6: Conclude that if the cell potential (E) is high, the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) will be low (more negative), indicating a favorable reaction.
