Question

Discuss how in a chemical reaction the concepts of equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics and electrochmistry are related to each other

Answer 1

There is an inherent link between the thermodynamics , equilibrium and kinetics of electrochemical systems. Treating the kinetics, reference should always be made to thermodynamics, i.e. to static systems or to systems that only evolve in ideal conditions..Electrochemistry possesses a most powerful tool to shift equilibria (thermodynamics), and to change reaction rates (kinetics):this is the electrode potential. The electrical energy is a component of the electrochemical Gibbs free energy (G) of a charged species; it has to be added to the chemical Gibbs free energy (G_c) in order to fully account for the overall energy content of charged species. In electrode processes, the energetics of an oxidation or of a reduction reaction can be changed dramatically.

Related equations :

G = -RTln K_eq

G= -nFE

Where G= Gibbs free energy , E= Electromotive force of a cell , Keq = Equilibrium constant