Section 6

Applications of Nernst
Equation

Basic Concepts with Resolved Questions and Problems

Introduction

As a teacher of physical chemistry, I noticed that students, even in advanced classes, have
difficulties in understanding the basics of redox chemistry. In this Section 6, I attempted to
discuss some applications of the Nernst equation in electrochemical systems, including energy
(consumption or generation), corrosion, redox titration, as well as the study of solubility,
precipitation, and complexation processes. To further clarify the discussed concepts, numerous
questions and problems with detailed answers are provided. Most of these questions are
formulated by students like you. I believe that this Section 6 would greatly help students with
levels varying from high school to advanced university classes.
Abstract
Redox equilibria are previously explained by the Nernst equation (Section 5), which
could be applied in many electrochemical systems to estimate quantities, such as potentials and
concentrations of redox species in solution. This section 6 is devoted to applications of the
Nernst equation in electrochemical systems, including energy (consumption or generation),
corrosion, redox titration, as well as study of solubility, precipitation, and complexation
reactions.
1. Electrolytic cells
Electrolytic cells are a category of electrochemical cells consuming energy in the form of
electricity to produce electrochemical reactions1. From the thermodynamic viewpoint, the redox
reactions occurring in electrolytic cells are not spontaneous since external energy is used to
produce these reactions (G>0 or E<0). The Nernst equation is suitable for use in electrolytic
cells to determine quantities, such as potential, concentration, number of the electrons transferred
G
during the process, as well as the electric charge (q = - = 𝑛𝐹, where
𝐸
according to reactions:
Oxidation: Zn  Zn2+ + 2e- , Eo = +0.76 V
Reduction: 2H+ + 2e-  H2 , Eo = 0 V
Overall reaction: Zn(s) + 2H+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)
Note that the Zn-based potential is reversed since the reaction is written in the oxidation form.
The cell voltage (or emf) is the sum of potentials of both half-reactions written in their current
states: Eototal = 0.76 + 0 = 0.76 V
ii) Replacement of Zn by Cu reverses the flow of electrons since Cu has higher potential or more
affinity to electrons than hydrogen. As a result, Cu will reduce and hydrogen will oxidize to
supply the electrons.
Oxidation: H2  2H+ + 2e- , Eo = 0 V
Reduction: Cu+2 + 2e-  Cu , Eo = 0.34 V
Overall reaction: H2 + Cu+2 
table, identify the oxidant.
Ans58. The oxidation reaction can be expressed by:
Oxidation: Fe2+  Fe3+ + 1e-
𝑚
At the equivalent point: 𝐶𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡  𝑉𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝑛𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 = (𝑀 )𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡  𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

where n is the number of moles, m is the mass, and M is the molar mass of the oxidant.
𝑚𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 0.55
Moxidant = =0.64  0.025 = 34.37 g mol-1
𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡  𝑉𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

Comparison of this value with molar masses of

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About the Author
I received my MS degree in Electrochemistry from the University of Pierre et Marie CURIE in July 2002 and my PhD in Electrochemistry from the University of
Paris Sud XI in September 2005, France. From 2006 to 2007, I worked as a research fellow at the University of Kansas in collaboration with Pinnacle
Technology Inc. (USA). From 2007 to 2010, I was a research associate at KU Leuven, Belgium. From 2010 to 2012, I worked at the University of Ontario
Institute of Technology in collaboration with Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corporation, Canada. I held a prestigious Rosalind Franklin fellowship at the
University of Groningen, Netherlands, and resigned in 2015. I published over 50 international reviewed papers, few patents, wrote hundreds of short news
articles and blogs, and edited hundreds of science/technology papers published in various international peer reviewed journals. Meanwhile, I taught physical
chemistry courses at various institutions. More information is available at: https://www.malika-ammam.com/

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Series: Section 6
Paperback: 58 pages

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3/11/2018 Applications of Nernst Equation: Basic Concepts with Resolved Questions and Problems (Section 6): Malika Ammam: 9781986184083: Amazo…
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 5, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1986184080
ISBN-13: 978-1986184083
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