Key Formulas in Electrochemistry with Units

• Cell Potential (EMF) of a Galvanic Cell: Difference between the reduction potentials of the
cathode and anode, measured in volts (V).

Ecell = Eright − Eleft

Units: Ecell , Eright , Eleft in V.

• Standard Cell Potential: Standard potential difference between cathode and anode, measured
in volts (V).

0
Ecell 0
= Ecathode − Eanode
0

0 0 0
Units: Ecell , Ecathode , Eanode in V.
• Nernst Equation for Electrode Potential: Relates electrode potential to concentration, with
R in J K−1 mol−1 , T in K, F in C mol−1 , and concentration in mol L−1 .

RT 1
n+ /M) −
0
E(Mn+ /M) = E(M ln n+
nF [M ]

0
Units: E(Mn+ /M) , E(Mn+ /M) in V; R = 8.314 J K
−1
mol−1 ; F ≈ 96 487 C mol−1 .

• Nernst Equation for Cell Potential (Daniell Cell Example): For the reaction Zn(s) +
Cu2+ (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s), with concentrations in mol L−1 .

RT [Zn2+ ]
0
Ecell = Ecell − ln
2F [Cu2+ ]

0
Units: Ecell , Ecell in V; R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1 ; F ≈ 96 487 C mol−1 .
• Nernst Equation at 298 K (Simplified): Simplified form at T = 298 K, with the constant in
volts.

0.059 [Zn2+ ]
0
Ecell = Ecell − log
n [Cu2+ ]

0
Units: Ecell , Ecell in V; 0.059 in V.
• General Nernst Equation for a Reaction: For a reaction aA + bB → cC + dD, with concen-
trations in mol L−1 .

RT [C]c [D]d
0
Ecell = Ecell − ln
nF [A]a [B]b

1
 0
Units: Ecell , Ecell in V; R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1 ; F ≈ 96 487 C mol−1 .
• Equilibrium Constant from Standard Cell Potential: Relates standard cell potential to the
equilibrium constant, with Kc dimensionless.

0 2.303RT
Ecell = log Kc
nF

0
Units: Ecell in V; R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1 ; F ≈ 96 487 C mol−1 ;TinK.
• Standard Gibbs Energy of Cell Reaction: Relates Gibbs energy to cell potential, with ∆r G0 in
J mol−1 .

∆r G0 = −nF Ecell
0

Units: ∆r G0 in J mol−1 ; F ≈ 96 487 C mol−1 ;E0cell in V.

• Gibbs Energy and Equilibrium Constant: Relates Gibbs energy to the equilibrium constant, with
∆r G0 in J mol−1 .

∆r G0 = −RT ln K

Units: ∆r G0 in J mol−1 ; R = 8.314 J K−1 mol−1 ;TinK;Kdimensionless.

• Resistance and Resistivity: Relates resistance to resistivity, length, and cross-sectional area, with R
in Ω and ρ in Ω m.

l
R=ρ
A

Units: R in Ω; ρ in Ω m; l in m; A in m2 .
• Conductance: Inverse of resistance, with conductance G in S and conductivity κ in S m−1 .

1 A
G= =κ
R l

Units: G in S; κ in S m−1 ; A in m2 ; l in m.
• Molar Conductivity: Relates conductivity to concentration, with Λm in S m2 mol−1 .

κ
Λm =
c

Units: Λm in S m2 mol−1 ; κ in S m−1 ; c in mol m−3 (or κ in S cm−1 , c in mol L−1 for Λm in S cm2 mol−1 ).

2
• Kohlrausch Law for Limiting Molar Conductivity: Sum of ionic molar conductivities at infinite
dilution, with Λ0m in S m2 mol−1 .

Λ0m = ν+ λ0+ + ν− λ0−

Units: Λ0m , λ0+ , λ0− in S m2 mol−1 ; ν+ , ν− dimensionless.

• Degree of Dissociation for Weak Electrolytes: Ratio of molar conductivity to limiting molar
conductivity, with α dimensionless.

Λm
α=
Λ0m

Units: Λm , Λ0m in S m2 mol−1 ; α dimensionless.

• Dissociation Constant for Weak Electrolytes: Relates dissociation constant to degree of dissocia-
tion and concentration, with Ka in mol L−1 .

cα2 cΛ2
Ka = = 0 0 m
1−α Λm (Λm − Λm )

Units: Ka in mol L−1 ; c in mol L−1 ; Λm , Λ0m in S cm2 mol−1 ; α dimensionless.

• Quantity of Electricity (Charge): Product of current and time, with Q in C.

Q = It

Units: Q in C; I in A; t in s.
• Faraday Constant (Charge per Mole of Electrons): Charge associated with one mole of electrons,
approximately 96 500 C mol−1 .

F ≈ 96 500 C mol−1

Units: F in C mol−1 .