Explain an exprasion for free energy and emf of a cell
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
When a cell produces a current, the current can be used to do work - to run a motor, for instance. Thermodynamic principles can be employed to derive a relation between electrical energy and the maximum amount of work, Wmax, obtainable from the cell. The maximum amount of work obtainable from the cell is the product of charge flowing per mole and maximum potential difference, E, through which the charge is transferred.
Wmax = - n FE
where n is the number of moles of electrons transferred and is equal to the valence of the ion participating in the cell reaction. F stands for Faraday and is equal to 96,495 coulombs and E is the emf of the cell.
According to thermodynamics, the maximum work that can be derived from a chemical reaction is equal to the free energy (DG) for the reaction,
Wmax = DG
Therefore, from (1) and (2), we can write
DG = - n FE
Thus only when E has a positive value, DG value will be negative and the cell reaction will be spontaneous and the e.m.f. of the cell can be measured.
Here E refers to the Ecell.
Thus, the electrical energy supplied by the cell is (nFE) equal to the free energy decrease (- DG) of the cell reaction occurring in the cell.
Example : Determine the standard emf of the cell and standard free energy change of the cell reaction.