Question:

Why does a mercury cell deliver a constant voltage for its entire life ?

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Mercury cells provide nearly constant voltage (\(\approx1.35\,V\)) throughout their life because the overall reaction does not significantly change ionic concentrations.
Updated On: Jun 29, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Concept: The cell potential depends upon the concentration of reactants and products participating in the cell reaction. In most cells, concentrations change during operation, causing the voltage to decrease gradually.

Explanation: In a mercury cell, the overall reaction involves only solids and ions whose concentrations remain essentially constant throughout the life of the cell. Since the concentration terms remain unchanged, the reaction quotient \(Q\) remains constant. According to the Nernst equation, \[ E_{cell} = E^\circ_{cell} - \frac{0.0591}{n}\log Q \] Since \(Q\) remains nearly constant, the cell potential remains practically unchanged. Therefore, a mercury cell supplies a steady and constant voltage until almost all reactants are consumed.

Final Answer \[ \boxed{ \text{A mercury cell delivers constant voltage because the concentrations of} \\ \text{reactants and products remain essentially constant during operation.} } \]
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