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Applying the Nernst Equation

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Applying the Nernst equation means writing the reaction quotient Q from the actual, nonstandard concentrations present, substituting Q, the electron count n, and temperature into Ecell = E°cell − (RT/nF) ln Q, and solving for Ecell.

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For a cell with E°cell = −0.146 V, n = 2, and Q = 2.5 × 10³ at 298 K, Ecell = −0.146 − [(8.314)(298)/(2)(96,485)] ln(2.5 × 10³) ≈ −0.146 − 0.101 ≈ −0.247 V, remaining nonspontaneous under these particular nonstandard conditions, and, notably, more negative than E°cell itself rather than less. That direction depends entirely on Q's value relative to 1; a Q below 1 would have shifted Ecell the other way, toward less negative.

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Forgetting that Q is built from the actual, current concentrations rather than standard 1 M values defeats the entire purpose of using the Nernst equation instead of E°cell alone.