Chapter 19, Problem 19.130SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of moles of $\text{ATP}$ formed in the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate has to be found.

Concept Introduction:

Free energy (Gibbs free energy) is the term that is used to explain the total energy content in a thermodynamic system that can be converted into work.  The free energy is represented by the letter $\text{G}$.  All spontaneous process is associated with the decrease of free energy in the system. The standard free energy change ${\text{(ΔG}}^{\text{°}}{}_{\text{rxn}})$ is the difference in free energy of the reactants and products in their standard state.

${\text{ΔG}}^{\text{°}}{}_{\text{rxn}}\text{=}\sum {\text{nΔG}}_{\text{f}}{}^{\text{°}}\text{(Products)-}\sum {\text{nΔG}}_{\text{f}}{}^{\text{°}}\text{(Reactants)}$

Where, “n” is the number of moles

The standard electrode potential of a cell ${\text{(E}}^{°}{}_{\text{cell}})$ is the difference in electrode potential of the cathode and anode.

  ${\text{E}}^{\text{°}}{}_{\text{cell}}={\text{E}}^{\text{°}}{}_{\text{cathode}}-{\text{E}}^{\text{°}}{}_{\text{anode}}$

The relation between Gibbs free energy and cell potential: The amount of energy in a system that can be converted into useful energy is defined as free energy in thermodynamics. 

Free energy and the cell potential is related by the given equation.

  $\text{ΔG=-nFE}$

Where,

  $\text{ΔG}$ is the change in free energy

  $\text{n}$ is the number of electrons transferred

  $\text{F}$ is the Faraday constant $\text{(F}=\text{96485}{\text{.338Cmol}}^{\text{-1}})$

  $\text{E}$ is the cell potential