How does temperature affect the Nernst equation?

• A. Temperature changes the factor RT/nF.
• B. The simple 0.05916/n log form is specific to 25°C.
• C. It changes the standard potential E°.
• D. At other temperatures, E = E° − (RT/nF) ln Q.

Answer: (D)

Temperature shows up in the Nernst equation through the RT/nF factor, which sets how strongly the reaction quotient Q influences the electrode potential. The general form is E = E° − (RT/nF) ln Q. The familiar 0.05916/n log Q form comes from evaluating RT/F at 25°C and converting natural logarithm to base-10. So when temperature changes, you can’t use the 0.05916 constant anymore—you must use the actual RT/nF value (and the natural logarithm form, or convert with the correct temperature). While E° is defined at a reference temperature, if you truly vary temperature, E° may also shift; but the primary way temperature affects the equation is through the RT/nF factor, making the general expression E = E° − (RT/nF) ln Q the correct form for other temperatures.