Equations · equation
Nernst Equation
Biophysics · 1889
- Equation
- E = (RT/zF)·ln([ion]ₒᵤₜ/[ion]ᵢₙ)
- Field
- Biophysics
- Named After
- Walther Nernst
- Year
- 1889
Symbols
E equilibrium voltage for one ion species · R gas constant · T absolute temperature · z the ion's charge · F Faraday's constant · the log compares concentrations outside and inside the membrane
Significance
A concentration difference across a membrane is a battery — about −90 mV for potassium in your neurons, right now. Born in electrochemistry (it prices every battery's voltage too), it became the foundation stone of electrophysiology: nerves run on Nernst.
Referenced by
constant
element
equation
event
machine
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