Electrode Potential: Zinc-Copper E Cell & Plausibility

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A positive E cell value indicates that the electrochemical reaction is favorable due to the relationship between Gibbs free energy and cell potential. The equation ΔG^0 = -nFE^0_cell shows that a negative free energy change corresponds to a positive E cell, making the reaction plausible. This is rooted in thermodynamic conventions where ΔG^0 < 0 suggests that the reaction will proceed spontaneously. Additionally, the relationship ΔG^0 = -RT lnK implies that a negative ΔG^0 leads to a reaction quotient K greater than 1, indicating product formation is favored. Understanding these conventions clarifies the implications of electrode potentials in electrochemical cells.
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When we work out the E cell of with the electrode potential values of Zinc and copper (for example) Why does a positive E cell value indicate that the reaction is plausible?
 
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Matter of convention.
 
- \Delta G^0 = work~done ~at~constant~potential=E^0_{cell} \Delta Q
\Delta Q = nF
\implies \Delta G^0 =-nFE^0_{cell}

Of course, now this translates to another convention : that a negative free energy change tells you that the reaction is plausible. To make this more intuitive, it may help to go a step further.

\Delta G^0 = -RT lnK
\Delta G^0 &lt; 0 \implies lnK &gt; 0 \implies K &gt; 1
 

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