The standard free energy change for a reaction in an electrolytic cell is always:_________ a. Positive b. Negative c. Zero d. Impossible to determine

Question

asked Feb 21, 2021 38.2k views

1 Answer

Navra · Answer 1 · 2021-02-25T12:44:07+0000

Answer: The standard free energy change for a reaction in an electrolytic cell is always positive.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electrolytic cells use electric currents to drive a non-spontaneous reaction forward.

Relation of standard free energy change and emf of cell

$\Delta G^o=-nFE^0_(cell)$

where,

$\Delta G^o$ = standard free energy change

n= no of electrons gained or lost

F= faraday's constant

E^0_(cell) = standard emf

E^0_(cell) = standard emf = -ve , for non spontaneous reaction

Thus
$\Delta G^o=(-ve)(-ve)=+ve$

Thus standard free energy change for a reaction in an electrolytic cell is always positive.