Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG°)
Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG°) is a thermodynamic potential that measures the maximum reversible work obtainable from a thermodynamic process at constant temperature and pressure. It is crucial for determining the spontaneity of a reaction; a negative ΔG° indicates a spontaneous reaction, while a positive ΔG° suggests non-spontaneity. The relationship between ΔG° and the equilibrium constant (K) is given by the equation ΔG° = -RT ln(K), where R is the universal gas constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin.
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Gibbs Free Energy of Reactions
Nernst Equation
The Nernst Equation relates the cell potential (E) of an electrochemical reaction to the concentrations of the reactants and products. It is expressed as E = E° - (RT/nF) ln(Q), where E° is the standard cell potential, n is the number of moles of electrons transferred, F is Faraday's constant, and Q is the reaction quotient. This equation is essential for calculating the cell potential under non-standard conditions and understanding how concentration affects the electrochemical reaction.
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Equilibrium Constant (K)
The equilibrium constant (K) is a dimensionless value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. It provides insight into the extent of a reaction; a large K indicates that products are favored, while a small K suggests reactants are favored. The relationship between K and standard cell potential (E°) is given by the equation E° = (RT/nF) ln(K), linking thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
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