High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! In electrochemistry, the Nernst equation is an equation that can be used (in conjunction with other information) to determine the equilibrium reduction potential of a half-cell in an electrochemical cell. It can also be used to determine the total voltage (electromotive force) for a full electrochemical cell. It is named after the German physical chemist who first formulated it, Walther Nernst.