Question

The free energy change for a reaction ΔG is an extensive property. What is an extensive property? Surprisingly, one can calculate ΔG from the cell potential E for the reaction. This is surprising because E is an intensive
property. How can the extensive property ΔG be calculated from the intensive property E?

Short answer

The extensive property calculation using intensive property can be interpreted.

Step-by-step solution

Define extensive property and intensive property

An intensive property is independent of the material or system's mass.

A system's size or the amount of stuff it contains determines the number of extensive properties.

Cell potential and its relation

The maximum electrical work can be obtained from electrochemical cell called cell potential. The relation can be denoted as:

$\Delta G=-nF{E^o}_{cell}$

When there is more cell potential, the system is more negative.

Change of Free energy

The amount of substance will be based on extensive property. Change in free energy will depend on the formation of a product in the reaction. The equation related to $\Delta G\&E$canbe denoted as $\Delta G=-nFE.$

Therefore, n will convert intensive into extensive property.