Question

The cell voltage is a quantitative measure of the driving force of the cell reaction.
True
False

Answer 1

In an electrochemical cell, the difference in the electrical potential between two electrodes is known as the cell voltage. If the cell voltage increases the tendency of the cell reaction to occur increases. Thus, the cell voltage is directly proportional to the thermodynamics of the reaction.

Complete step by step answer:
The cell voltage is also known as the electromotive force (emf). Voltmeter is used to measure the cell voltage of an electrochemical cell. The electromotive force is expressed in volts.
If the electromotive force increases the tendency of the cell reaction to occur increases. Thus, the electromotive force is directly proportional to the thermodynamics of the reaction.
Thus, the statement “the electromotive force is a quantitative measure of the driving force of the cell reaction” is true.

Additional Information:
The cell voltage can be calculated using the formula,
$E_{{\text{cell}}}^{\text{o}} = E_{{\text{cathode}}}^{\text{o}} - E_{{\text{anode}}}^{\text{o}}$
Where, $E_{{\text{cell}}}^{\text{o}}$ is the cell voltage
$E_{{\text{cathode}}}^{\text{o}}$ is the voltage at cathode
$E_{{\text{anode}}}^{\text{o}}$ is the voltage at anode
Factors affecting cell voltage: The cell voltage will be affected by the factors that affect the rate of the reaction.
Thus, the factors that affect the cell voltage are:
Temperature
Surface area
Concentration of the reactants

Note:
The cell voltage can be increased by increasing the concentration of the reactants. As the concentration of reactants increases, more reaction is allowed in the forward direction. Thus, the reaction occurs faster and high cell voltage is observed.
If the cell voltage increases the tendency of the cell reaction to occur increases.
Thus, increasing the concentration of the reactant increases the rate of the reaction.