Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2196 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Nernst Equation
Captions available
The idea
The Nernst equation gives a cell's potential under nonstandard conditions, Ecell = E°cell − (RT/nF) ln Q, adjusting the standard value by the actual quotient.
In practice
A cell with unusually high reactant concentrations reads a higher Ecell than E°cell alone would suggest.
Where people slip
E°cell is a fixed reference; Ecell is what a cell reads now, and the two agree only when Q equals 1.
Your place on the trail
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