Problem Set on Electrochemistry

1. For each of the following reactions, identify which species is oxidized and which is reduced.
Identify the oxidizing agent (OA) and the reducing agent (RA). Specify whether the reaction will
proceed spontaneously in the forward direction. Distinguish which electrode would be the
cathode and which would be the anode.
a) Ni(s) + Zn2+(aq) Ni2+(aq) + Zn(s)
b) Ni(s) + Pb2+(aq) Ni2+(aq) + Pb(s)
c) Al(s) + 3 Ag+(aq) Al3+(aq) + 3 Ag(s)
d) Pb(s) + Mn2+(aq) Pb2+(aq) + Mn(s)
e) Fe(s) + Mn2+(aq) Fe2+(aq) + Mn(s)
f) 2 Al(s) + 3 Pb2+(aq) 2 Al3+(aq) + 3 Pb(s)
g) MnO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + Zn(s) Mn2+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + Zn2+(aq)
h) PbO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + Sn(s) Pb2+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + Sn2+(aq)
2. Which metal(s) would you use to reduce Mn2+ ions, but not Mg2+ ions? Which metal(s) can be
oxidized with a Sn2+ solution but not with an Fe2+ solution?
3. For the following reactions, illustrate the voltaic cell for the process, including the two
solutions, the two electrodes, and the salt bridge. Identify the anode and cathode. Indicate the
direction of electron movement and the direction of salt movement from the salt bridge. Write
the reaction equations for the overall forward reaction.
a. MnO2, H+/Mn2+ and Br2(l)/Br
b. Ag/Ag+ and Al/Al3+
4. Electrolytic plating of a gold bracelet is done with 100 mL 0.010 M Au(NO3)3. After 4 h, 1 min,
and 13 s, bubbles started to form on the bracelet.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Write the reaction at each electrode.

What is the polarity of the bracelet used as electrode?
What does the appearance of bubbles on the bracelet signify?
How many coulombs of electricity will it need to deposit all the Au3+ completely?
How much heavier is the bracelet after electrolysis?

5. For the cell: Fe(s) | Fe2+(aq) || H+(aq) | H2(g) |Pt.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Write the two half-reactions and the overall reaction.

Determine Eocell. Is the reaction spontaneous?
Calculate K and Go.
Calculate the Ecell when [Fe2+] = 0.100 M, PH2 = 1.50 atm and pH = 0.
State the effect (increase, decrease, or will not change) on the emf of the following
changes:
(i)
increasing [Fe2+]
(ii)
decreasing the surface area of Fe(s) electrode
(iii)
increasing PH2
(iv)
increasing pH

(v)
(vi)

adding water
increasing the volume of the solution

6. For the cell:

Pt(s)|Cl2(g) (1 atm) | Cl(aq) (1.0 M) || Pb2+(aq) (0.050 M), H+(aq) (0.10 M) | PbO2(s)
a. Write the reactions at the cathode and the anode.
b. Calculate Ecell.
7. A concentration cell from Ni and NiCl2 solution with concentration 0.050 M and 0.010 M was
made.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Give the cell notation including the concentrations of ionic species in each half-cell.
Write the half-reactions at each half-cell and the overall reaction.
Calculate Ecell.
Calculate the concentration of the ions in each half-cell when the current ceases to flow,
i.e. when Ecell = 0.

8. Rank the following in order of increasing strength of reducing agent

a. Mn2+, Sn2+, Pb(s)
b. Ag(s), Hg(l), Cu(s)
c. Cd(s), Zn(s), Ni(s)
9. Given the voltaic cell below:
Pt(s) | H2(g) (1 atm) | HA (aq) (0.50 M) || SHE
a.
b.
c.
d.

Ecell = 0.300 V

Write the reactions at the anode and at the cathode.

What is the pH of the solution in the anode half-cell?
Calculate Ka of the weak acid, HA.
What is the effect of diluting the solution in the anode half-cell on its pH?

10. Calculate the Ksp of the indicated salt given the following data:
a. Hg2Cl2:
Hg2Cl2(s) | Cl (1.0 M) | Hg(l) | Pt(s) || Hg22+(aq) (1.0 M) | Hg(l) | Pt(s)
b. PbI2:

Pb(s) | Pb2+(satd PbI2) || Pb2+(0.100 M) | Pb(s)

Ecell = 0.52 V

Ecell = 0.0567 V