Notes On Derivation Of Equilibrium Constant From Nernst Equation And Relation With Gibbs Energy - CBSE Class 12 Chemistry
Daniel cell: As Daniel cell starts functioning, the concentration of copper (ii) ions starts decreasing and that of zinc ions starts increasing. Thus Q, the reaction quotient in the Nernst equation is increasing, shows that the cell voltage will decrease. At one stage, the concentrations of both the ions become equal. This indicates that the reaction will reach equilibrium and the voltmeter will read zero. The Nernst equation can be written as, At, equilibrium Kc = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]                       E°cell =  2.303RT/nF ln Kc at T = 298 K                ln Kc = (E°cellV)n/0.059V Relation between Gibbs free energy and cell potential: ∆G0 = -nFEcell ∆G0 = Gibbs free energy at standard conditions E0cell = Cell potential at standard conditions n = number of electrons transferred in a reaction E0cell is an intensive property ∆G0 is an extensive property ∆G = -RT lnK ∆G0 = Gibbs free energy R = Ideal gas constant K = Equilibrium constant ∆G0 = -nFEcell        ∆G0 = -RT lnK For galvanic cell, the cell potential is always positive thus Gibbs free energy for a galvanic cell is negative, which is consistent with a spontaneous process.

#### Summary

Daniel cell: As Daniel cell starts functioning, the concentration of copper (ii) ions starts decreasing and that of zinc ions starts increasing. Thus Q, the reaction quotient in the Nernst equation is increasing, shows that the cell voltage will decrease. At one stage, the concentrations of both the ions become equal. This indicates that the reaction will reach equilibrium and the voltmeter will read zero. The Nernst equation can be written as, At, equilibrium Kc = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]                       E°cell =  2.303RT/nF ln Kc at T = 298 K                ln Kc = (E°cellV)n/0.059V Relation between Gibbs free energy and cell potential: ∆G0 = -nFEcell ∆G0 = Gibbs free energy at standard conditions E0cell = Cell potential at standard conditions n = number of electrons transferred in a reaction E0cell is an intensive property ∆G0 is an extensive property ∆G = -RT lnK ∆G0 = Gibbs free energy R = Ideal gas constant K = Equilibrium constant ∆G0 = -nFEcell        ∆G0 = -RT lnK For galvanic cell, the cell potential is always positive thus Gibbs free energy for a galvanic cell is negative, which is consistent with a spontaneous process.

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