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The Nernst Equation

Key Concepts

The Nernst Equation allows us to calculate the voltage produced by any electrochemical cell given E^o values for its electrodes and the concentrations of reactants and products.
The general Nernst Equation: E = E^o -(RT/nF)lnQ
E^o = standard electrochemical cell potential (voltage)
R = ideal gas constant
T = temperature
n = moles of electrons
F = Faraday constant = 96,485 C mol^-1
Q = mass-action expression (approximated by the equilibrium expression)
At 25^oC the Nernst Equation is simplified to: E = E^o -(0.0592/n)logQ
E^o = standard electrochemical cell potential (voltage)
n = moles of electrons
Q = mass-action expression (approximated by the equilibrium expression)
For a system at equilibrium at 25^oC, E = 0 and the Nernst Equation is simplified to:
E^o = (0.0592/n)logK
E^o = standard electrochemical cell potential (voltage)
n = moles of electrons
K = equilibrium expression

Examples of Nernst Equation Calculations

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