## pH and the Cell Potential

$E_{cell} = E_{cell}^{\circ}-\frac{RT}{nF}\ln Q$

Kevin Chang 2I
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:16 am

### pH and the Cell Potential

What exactly is the relationship between the pH of a solution and the measurement of a cell potential (Ecell)?

Rishi_Kayathi_1E
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:59 pm

### Re: pH and the Cell Potential

The pH of the solution represents the concentration of the Hydrogen ions in the solution. By inserting these concentrations into the Nernst equation we can calculate the cell potential.

samuelkharpatin2b
Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:57 pm

### Re: pH and the Cell Potential

The Nernst equation uses the concentrations of reactants and products. So if a problem provides you with a pH and you know you need to use the Nernst equation in order to solve the problem, you must first find the concentration of hydronium ions, by evaluating 10^(-pH) and then proceed to plug in that value into the appropriate location in the Nernst equation. Be sure to never plug in the pH directly into the equation.

Return to “Appications of the Nernst Equation (e.g., Concentration Cells, Non-Standard Cell Potentials, Calculating Equilibrium Constants and pH)”

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