Answer: The standard free energy change for a reaction in an electrolytic cell is always positive.
Explanation:
Electrolytic cells use electric currents to drive a non-spontaneous reaction forward.
Relation of standard free energy change and emf of cell
[tex]\Delta G^o=-nFE^0_{cell}[/tex]
where,
[tex]\Delta G^o[/tex] = standard free energy change
n= no of electrons gained or lost
F= faraday's constant
[tex]E^0_{cell}[/tex] = standard emf
[tex]E^0_{cell}[/tex] = standard emf = -ve , for non spontaneous reaction
Thus [tex]\Delta G^o=(-ve)(-ve)=+ve[/tex]
Thus standard free energy change for a reaction in an electrolytic cell is always positive.
