Calculate cell voltage, capacity and energy for a practical electrochemical cell.
One mole of electrons carries 96,485 coulombs, so capacity follows directly from moles of reactant and electron count. Dividing by 3,600 converts coulombs to the amp-hours batteries are rated in. Theoretical capacity sets the ceiling for any chemistry, and practical cells reach only 80 to 90 per cent of it because of inactive mass and internal resistance.
Electrochemical Cell
Charge = nFm; energy = charge × voltage; capacity in Ah = charge ÷ 3,600
Charge = nFm; energy = charge × voltage; capacity in Ah = charge ÷ 3,600 One mole of electrons carries 96,485 coulombs, so capacity follows directly from moles of reactant and electron count. Dividing by 3,600 converts coulombs to the amp-hours batteries are rated in.
Theoretical capacity sets the ceiling for any chemistry, and practical cells reach only 80 to 90 per cent of it because of inactive mass and internal resistance.
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Cell potential, Electrons transferred per formula unit, Moles of limiting reactant, Practical efficiency. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.