Which of the following statements is correct regarding Electrochemical...
Cell potential is an intensive property as it is independent of the amount of material present. Gibbs free energy is defined for an electrochemical cell and is an extensive property as it depends on the quantity of the material.
Which of the following statements is correct regarding Electrochemical...
Cell potential is an intensive property
Explanation:
An electrochemical cell consists of two half-cells, each containing an electrode immersed in an electrolyte solution. The cell potential, also known as the electromotive force (EMF) or voltage, is a measure of the potential difference between the two electrodes in the cell and determines the direction and rate of electron transfer during a chemical reaction.
Extensive vs. Intensive Properties:
- Extensive properties depend on the amount or size of the system, while intensive properties do not.
- Extensive properties change with the size or amount of the substance, whereas intensive properties remain constant regardless of the size or amount.
Cell Potential as an Intensive Property:
- The cell potential is an intensive property because it is independent of the size or amount of the electrochemical cell.
- The cell potential is determined by the nature of the redox reactions occurring in the half-cells and the concentrations of the reactants and products involved.
- Adding more electrodes or electrolyte does not change the value of the cell potential.
- For example, if two half-cells with the same electrode materials and electrolyte concentrations are connected, the cell potential would be the same regardless of the size of the electrodes or the amount of electrolyte.
Gibbs Free Energy and Electrochemical Cells:
- The Gibbs free energy is a thermodynamic property that measures the maximum reversible work that can be performed by a system at constant temperature and pressure.
- The Gibbs free energy change (∆G) of an electrochemical cell is related to the cell potential (∆E) through the equation: ∆G = -nFE, where n is the number of moles of electrons transferred and F is the Faraday constant.
- The Gibbs free energy change is an extensive property because it depends on the amount of substance involved in the redox reaction.
- It is important to note that the Gibbs free energy is not undefined for an electrochemical cell, but it is an extensive property and not an intensive property.
Therefore, the correct statement regarding electrochemical cells is that cell potential is an intensive property.