## What is n? [ENDORSED]

$\Delta G^{\circ} = -nFE_{cell}^{\circ}$

Tara_Hekmati_3B
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:59 pm

### What is n?

Sometimes n represents the number of electrons in the half reaction, but other times it is the change in the moles throughout the reaction. Could it be either or is it really just one? If you are not told to find the half reactions of the redox equation, do you have to find them anyway to find n if the question is asking for the Gibbs Free Energy?

Lmk. Thanks.

Garrett_Reynolds_1D
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2016 3:00 am

### Re: What is n?

Using the equation: W(max)=ΔG=-nFE, n represents the total number of moles transferred.

Kevin Le 1L
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Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2016 3:00 am

### Re: What is n?

"n" typically stands for the number of moles.

Cliff Danza 3F
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Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:57 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: What is n?  [ENDORSED]

For that equation specifically "n" refers to the moles of electrons being transferred in the balanced redox reaction. So yes you will need to know that balanced value if asked for the Gibbs Free energy, which requires balancing the redox equation.

SoJeong Lee
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:55 pm

### Re: What is n?

n refers to the numbers of moles and it is important to plug it in when doing the math problems.

Catherine_Zhang_1H
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2016 3:00 am

### Re: What is n?

If you're just looking to calculate and solve that equation, an easy way to think of it would be the number of electrons transferred in the redox reaction. That value would be n.

William Weng 2L
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:01 am

### Re: What is n?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think n always stands for number of moles right?

Jessica Pak 2F
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:55 pm

### Re: What is n?

n will always be number of moles (of molecules, or in this case, e-). I think that it should be assumed that the value of n should be the number of electrons in the balanced equation, which could sometimes also be the same number in the half reaction.

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

### Re: What is n?

n represents the number of moles of electrons transferred, and that number can be found by looking at the balanced half reactions. The coefficient in front of the e- is the value used for n.