Nernst relation

cosmos 28th February 2017 at 12:03pm
Electrochemistry Electrophoresis

A formula relating the potential difference between two planes, to the ratio in concentration of Ions at the two planes, when ignoring the interionic interactions (ok at low ionic concentrations), and at equilibrium. For out-of equilibrium, on gets a Fokker-Planck equation (advection-diffusion equation).

For derivation in electrochemical terms, see wikipedia.

For a derivation in terms of Kinetic theory, see the Nelson's biological physics book (sec 4.6.3 page 125)

j=D(dcdx+qkBTEc)j=D(-\frac{dc}{dx} + \frac{q}{k_B T} \mathcal{E} c)Nernst-Planck formula

At equilibrium, the flux j=0j=0, giving (after integrating over xx):

Δ(lnc)=qΔVeq/kBT\Delta(\ln{c})=-q \Delta V_{eq} / k_B TNernst relation

–>>This is also the potential that forms across a membrane which is permeable to one ion species, but not another! See here