## Spontaneity in a cell reaction

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

mendozayael_2H
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

### Spontaneity in a cell reaction

What can the relation between Ecell and delta G tell me about whether a cell reaction is spontaneous?

Matt_Fontila_2L_Chem14B
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Spontaneity in a cell reaction

I'm pretty sure delta G alone can tell you if the reaction is spontaneous. If delta G is positive, then the reaction is non-spontaneous. If delta G is negative, then the reaction is spontaneous.

I'm not sure if I answered what you were looking for, but I hope this helps!

Matt_Fontila_2L_Chem14B
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Spontaneity in a cell reaction

However, if you didn't know either delta G or Ecell, then you can use the equation $\Delta G = -nFE^{\circ}$
to find tif you know the other one.

Cristina Sarmiento 1E
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2016 3:02 am

### Re: Spontaneity in a cell reaction

Based on the equation Matt gave, if Ecell is positive, Delta G is negative = spontaneous. If Ecell is negative, Delta G is positive = nonspontaneous.

Phillip Tran
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Spontaneity in a cell reaction

dG=-nFE
E is standard cell potential that needs to be positive so that dG could be negative, which is what we want for spontaneity