Question

For a galvanic cell, if E∘∘ is positive (E∘∘ > 0), the equilibrium constant K should be

A. Less than 1
B. equal to 1
C. greater than 1
D. Close to 1, but the value depends on the reaction

Answer 1

For a galvanic cell with a positive standard cell potential, the equilibrium constant K is greater than 1, indicating that the redox reaction is spontaneous with a negative change in free energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a galvanic cell, if E° is positive (E° > 0), the equilibrium constant K should be greater than 1.

When a galvanic cell has a positive standard cell potential (E°), it indicates that the reaction is spontaneous, meaning it will proceed without external energy input. Spontaneous reactions have a negative change in free energy (ΔG°), and according to the relationship ΔG° = -RTlnK, where R is the gas constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin, a negative ΔG° results in a positive value for lnK.

Because the natural logarithm function (ln) yields positive values for numbers greater than 1, it follows that the equilibrium constant K must be greater than 1 for a spontaneous reaction with a positive E°.