# NERNST Equation

## What is Nernst Equation?

The Nernst equation provides a relation between the cell potential of an electrochemical cell, the standard cell potential, temperature, and the reaction quotient. Even under non-standard conditions, the cell potentials of electrochemical cells can be determined with the help of the Nernst equation.

The Nernst equation is often used to calculate the cell potential of an electrochemical cell at any given temperature, pressure, and reactant concentration. The equation was introduced by a German chemist Walther Hermann Nernst.

## Expression of Nernst Equation

Nernst equation is an equation relating the capacity of an atom/ion to take up one or more electrons (reduction potential) measured at any conditions to that measured at standard conditions (standard reduction potentials) of 298K and one molar or one atmospheric pressure.

### Nernst Equation for Single Electrode Potential

Ecell = E0 – [RT/nF] ln Q

Where,

• Ecell = cell potential of the cell
• E0 = cell potential under standard conditions
• R = universal gas constant
• T = temperature
• n = number of electrons transferred in the redox reaction
• Q = reaction quotient

The calculation of single electrode reduction potential (Ered) from the standard single electrode reduction potential (E°red) for an atom/ion is given by the Nernst equation.

For a reduction reaction, Nernst equation for a single electrode reduction potential for a reduction reaction Mn+ + nenM is;

Ered = EMn+/M = EoMn+/M – [2.303RT/nF] log [1/[Mn+]]

Where,

• R is the gas constant = 8.314J/K Mole
• T = absolute temperature,
• n = number of mole of electron involved,
• F = 96487 (≈96500) coulomb/mole = charged carried by one mole of electrons.
• [Mn+] = active mass of the ions. For simplicity, it may be taken as equal to the molar concentration of the salt.

### Nernst Equation at 25oC

For measurements carried out 298K, the Nernst equation can be expressed as follows.

E = E0 – 0.0592/n log10 Q

Therefore, as per the Nernst equation, the overall potential of an electrochemical cell is dependent on the reaction quotient.

## Derivation of Nernst Equation

Consider a metal in contact with its own salt aqueous solution. Reactions of metal losing an electron to become an ion and the ion gaining electron to return to the atomic state are equally feasible and are in an equilibrium state.

Mn+ + nenM

In the reduction reaction, ‘n’ moles of an electron is taken up by the ion against a reduction potential of Ered.

1. The work done in the movement of electron

Wred = nFEred

Where,

• F is Faraday = 96487 coulomb = electrical charge carried by one mole of electrons

2. Change in the Gibbs free energy is an indication of the spontaneity and it is also equal to the maximum useful work (other than volume expansion) done in a process.

Combining work done and Gibbs free energy change:

Wred = nFEred = – ∆G or ∆G = – nFEred

3. Change in the free energy at standard conditions of 298K and one molar /one atmospheric pressure conditions is ∆G°. From the above relation, it can be written that

∆G° = – nFE°red

Where,

• red is the reduction potential measured at standard conditions.

4. During the reaction, concentration keeps changing and the potential also will decrease with the rate of reaction.

To get the maximum work or maximum free energy change, the concentrations have to be maintained the same. This is possible only by carrying out the reaction under a reversible equilibrium condition.

For a reversible equilibrium reaction, vant Hoff isotherm says:

∆G = ∆G° + RT lnK

Where,

• K is the equilibrium constant
• K = Product/Reactant = [M]n/[M]n+
• R is the Gas constant =8 .314J/K mole
• T is the temperature in Kelvin scale.

– nFEred = – nFE°red + RT ln [M]/[Mn+] = – nFE°red + 2.303 RT log [M]n/[Mn+]

Dividing both sides by – nF,

Ered = E°red – $\frac{2.303 RT}{nF1}\log\frac{[M]^n}{[M^{n+}]}$

or, $EM^{n+}/M =E^o M^{n+}/M -\frac{2.303 RT}{nF1}\log\frac{[M]^n}{[M^{n+}]}$

The activity of the metal is, always considered as equal to unity.

Ered = E°red – or $E M^{n+}/{M}$

= $E^o M^{n+}/{M}$- $\frac{2.303 RT}{nF}\log\frac{1}{[Mn^{n+}]}$

This relation connecting reduction potential measurable at conditions other than standard conditions to the standard electrode potential is the Nernst equation.

For reaction conducted at 298K but at different concentrations, Nernst Equation is;

$E M^{n+}/{M}$= $E^o M^{n+}/{M}$- $\frac{2.303\times 8.314 \times293}{n96500}\log\frac{1}{[Mn^{n+}]}$

= $E^o M^{n+}/{M}$- $\frac{0.0591}{n}\log\frac{1}{[Mn^{n+}]}$

## Determining Equilibrium Constant with Nernst Equation

When the reactants and the products of the electrochemical cell reach equilibrium, the value of ΔG becomes 0. At this point, the reaction quotient and the equilibrium constant (Kc) are the same. Since ΔG = -nFE, the cell potential at equilibrium is also 0.

Substituting the values of Q and E into the Nernst equation, the following equation is obtained.

0 = E0cell – (RT/nF) ln Kc

The relationship between the Nernst equation, the equilibrium constant, and Gibbs energy change is illustrated below.

Nernst equation vs Equilibrium constant vs Gibbs energy change

Converting the natural logarithm into base-10 logarithm and substituting T=298K (standard temperature), the equation is transformed as follows.

E0cell = (0.0592V/n) log Kc

Rearranging this equation, the following equation can be obtained.

log Kc = (nE0cell)/0.0592V

Thus, the relationship between the standard cell potential and the equilibrium constant is obtained. When Kc is greater than 1, the value of E0cell will be greater than 0, implying that the equilibrium favours the forward reaction. Similarly, when Kc is less than 1, E0cell will hold a negative value which suggests that the reverse reaction will be favoured.

## Nernst Equation Applications

The Nernst equation can be used to calculate:

• Single electrode reduction or oxidation potential at any conditions
• Standard electrode potentials
• Comparing the relative ability as a reductive or oxidative agent.
• Finding the feasibility of the combination of such single electrodes to produce electric potential.
• Emf of an electrochemical cell
• Unknown ionic concentrations
• The pH of solutions and solubility of sparingly soluble salts can be measured with the help of the Nernst equation.

### Limitations of Nernst Equation

The activity of an ion in a very dilute solution is close to infinity and can, therefore, be expressed in terms of the ion concentration. However, for solutions having very high concentrations, the ion concentration is not equal to the ion activity. In order to use the Nernst equation in such cases, experimental measurements must be conducted to obtain the true activity of the ion.

Another shortcoming of this equation is that it cannot be used to measure cell potential when there is a current flowing through the electrode. This is because the flow of current affects the activity of the ions on the surface of the electrode. Also, additional factors such as resistive loss and overpotential must be considered when there is a current flowing through the electrode.

## Solved Examples on NERNST Equation

1. The standard electrode potential of zinc ions is 0.76V. What will be the potential of a 2M solution at 300K?

Solution:

The Nernst equation for the given conditions can be written as follows;

EMn+/M = Eo – [(2.303RT)/nF] × log 1/[Mn+]

Here,

• E° = 0.76V
• n = 2
• F = 96500 C/mole
• [Mn+] = 2 M
• R =8.314 J/K mole
• T =300 K

Substituting the given values in Nernst equation we get,

EZn2+/Zn = 0.76 – [(2.303×8.314×300)/(2×96500)] × log 1/2 = 0.76 – [0.0298 × (-0.301)]

= 0.76 + 0.009 = 0.769V

Therefore, the potential of a 2M solution at 300K is 0.769V.

2. From the following standard potentials, arrange the metals in the order of their increasing reducing power.

• Zn2+(aq) + 2e → Zn(s): E° = -0.76 V
• Ca2+(aq) + 2e → Ca(s): E° = -2.87 V
• Mg2+(aq) + 2e → Mg(s): E° = -2.36 V
• Ni2+(aq) + 2e → Ni(s): E° = -0.25 V
• Ni(s) → Ni2+(aq) + 2e : E° = +0.25 V

Reducing power of a metal increases with its ability to give up electrons ie lower standard potentials. Arranging the reduction potentials in the decreasing order gives the increasing order of reducing power of metals.

Increasing order of reduction potentials is Ni (-0.25V) < Zn (-0.76V) < Mg(-2.36V) < Ca(-2.87).

3. What is the Cell Potential of the electrochemical cell in Which the cell reaction is: Pb2+ + Cd → Pb + Cd2+ ; Given that Eocell = 0.277 volts, temperature = 25oC, [Cd2+] = 0.02M, and [Pb2+] = 0.2M.

#### Solution

Since the temperature is equal to 25oC, the Nernst equation can be written as follows;

Ecell = E0cell – (0.0592/n) log10Q

Here, two moles of electrons are transferred in the reaction. Therefore, n = 2. The reaction quotient (Q) is given by [Cd2+]/[Pb2+] = (0.02M)/(0.2M) = 0.1.

The equation can now be rewritten as:

Ecell = 0.277 – (0.0592/2) × log10(0.1) = 0.277 – (0.0296)(-1) = 0.3066 Volts

Thus, the cell potential of this electrochemial cell at a temperature of 25oC is 0.3066 volts.

4. The Cu2+ ion concentration in a copper-silver electrochemical cell is 0.1M. If Eo(Ag+/Ag) = 0.8V, Eo(Cu2+/Cu) = 0.34V, and Cell potential (at 25oC) = 0.422V, find the silver ion concentration.

#### Solution

Here, the silver electrode acts as a cathode whereas the copper electrode serves as the anode. This is because the standard electrode potential of the silver electrode is greater than that of the copper electrode. The standard electrode potential of the cell can now be calculated, as shown below.

Eocell = Eocathode – Eoanode = 0.8V – 0.34V = 0.46V

Since the charge on the copper ion is +2 and the charge on the silver ion is +1, the balanced cell reaction is:

2Ag+ + Cu → 2Ag + Cu2+

Since two electrons are transferred in the cell reaction, n = 2. Now, the Nernst equation for this electrochemical cell can be written as follows.

Ecell = E0cell – (0.0592/2) × log(0.1/[Ag+]2)

0.422V = 0.46 – 0.0296 × (-1 – 2log[Ag+])

Therefore, -2log[Ag+] = 1.283 + 1 = 2.283

Or, log[Ag+] = -1.141

[Ag+] = antilog(-1.141) = 0.0722 M