Question

What happens when equilibrium is established in an electrochemical cell?

Answer 1

Dear student, The voltage of an electrochemical cell is an indication that the system is out of equilibrium. The redox reaction is spontaneously approaching equilibrium, and as the reaction proceeds, electrons flow within the cell. At equilibrium, the voltage drops to zero and the current stops.The redox reaction is spontaneously approaching equilibrium, and as the reaction proceeds, electrons flow within the cell. At equilibrium, the voltage drops to zero and the current stops. (A battery at equilibrium is a dead battery.) If we make a change to the system that pushes it further away from equilibrium, the potential goes up. If we make a change that pushes the system towards equilibrium, the potential goes down. Regards