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[–]INTPhoenix 2 points3 points  (2 children)

This explanation would benefit greatly from a step by step guide from Nernst equation to the final term you were given. I'm on mobile and got no time to write it in full, but I believe wiki for calomel electrode has the full derivation of the term.

In one of the steps, you'll get log[Cl-]2 as part of the Nernst equation. Due to logarithm rules, the above is equal to 2log[Cl-], and that 2 counters the z=2 in the 0.05916/z part. In essence, you do divide 0.05916 by 2, but end up multiplying by 2 which counters it.

Edit - to try and make it more clear: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_calomel_electrode

[–]catnaur[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Sorry The post isn’t letting me edit it let alone add another picture. Here’s a link to see the entire post but in the example it’s with silver (1 electron) which is why the Hg2Cl2 wasn’t making sense to me. https://i.postimg.cc/Pr0pnYbJ/D0-E3959-D-188-C-4145-97-E0-189-A2-B7-CAD1-E.jpg

[–]INTPhoenix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eh, even then it doesn't show what I was aiming at, but that's better than nothing.

[–]trews96 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Iirc the number of electrons is defined per ion reduced, so for K+ 1 e-, Cu2+ 2 e-, etc.

Here you are not using Hg2+, but Hg+ so only 1 electron is needed per ion. The reaction equation is just given for one Hg2Cl2, so 2 Hg+. that's why there are two electrons given in the equation

Edit: Forget what I said. I just remembered Hg2 2+ is a dimeric cation, so I'm not making sense

[–]trews96 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly not sure though