## 14.93a (6th ed)

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

julia_lok_2K
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Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am

### 14.93a (6th ed)

Why does the electrode with the higher concentration of the species undergoes reduction and not the electrode with the lower concentration?

Felicia1E
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:22 am

### Re: 14.93a (6th ed)

It's because the cell relies on the concentration gradient to power it. The reduction part would for example have an ion added to electrons to make a solid. Therefore it contributes the ion and its corresponding concentration to the reactant side, whereas in the oxidation part it is the opposite, and its ion would contribute to the products side. We want the reactant to have a higher concentration than the products so the gradient works and the reaction is spontaneous.

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