[Fivestar496]

For years it was not clear whether mercury (I) ions existed in solution as Hg+ or Hg22+. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we could set up the following system:

                                   Hg(l) | soln A || soln B | Hg(l)

Where solution A contained 0.263 g mercury (I) nitrate per liter and solution B contained 2.63 g mercury (I) nitrate per liter. If the measured emf of such a cell is 0.0289 V at 18 oC, what can you deduce about the nature of the mercury ions?

[Borek]

You have to show your attempts at solving the question to receive help. This is a forum policy, described in the forum rules.

This very question was discussed on the forum this year.

[Fivestar496]

I know I'm suppose to use the Nernst equation for this problem but i'm lost on where to even begin and what exactly i'm looking for.  I know I have the data to plug in for emf, temperature, and the constants for the equation but what about lnQ or E?

[Borek]

This is a concentration cell, with a tenfold difference in concentrations. Rings a bell?