MAPUA UNIVERSITY

School of Chemical, Biological, Material Engineering and

Sciences (CBMES)

Experiment No. : 4
Title: Galvanic Cells, the Nernst Equation

Group No. : 4
Name: Lantacon, June N.

Pre/Post Lab Quiz

Evaluation
Prelim Data Sheet
Laboratory Attire
Title Page
Report Form
Conclusion

MARILYN A. MIRANDA
Instructor
 A. Reduction Potentials of Several Redox Couples

Galvanic Ecell Equation for Anode Equation for Cathode

Anode Cathode
Cell Measured Half-Reaction Half-Reaction
Cu-Zn 0.8 Zn Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Cu Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)
Cu-Mg
Cu-Fe 0.96 Fe Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2e- Cu Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)
Zn-Mg
Fe-Mg
Zn-Fe 0.16 Zn Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Fe Fe2+(aq) + 2e- → Fe(s)

1. Write balanced equations for the six cell reactions.

Cu2+(aq) + Zn(s) → Cu(s) + Zn2+(aq)

Cu2+(aq) + Fe(s) → Cu(s) + Fe2+(aq)

Fe2+(aq) + Zn(s) → Fe(s) + Zn2+(aq)
5.
For the Reduction Reduction
Galvanic Ecell
Redox Potential Potential % Error
Cell Measure
Couple (experimental) (theoretical)
Cu-Zn 0.8 Cu2+/Cu 0.01 V 0.31 96.77%
Zn-Fe 0.16 Fe2+/Fe -0.63 V -0.47 34.04%
Zn-Zn 0 Zn2+/Zn -0.79 V -0.79 0.00
Zn-Mg Mg2+/Mg
Zn-Unknown,
X2+/X
X

B. Effect of Concentration Changes on Cell Potential

1. Cell potential of concentration cell: 0.27V
Anode half-reaction: Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) (0.001M) + 2e-
Cathode half-reaction: Cu2+(aq) (1M) + 2e- → Cu(s)
C. The Nernst Equation and an Unknown Concentration
Solution Concentration of Ecell
-log [Cu2+], pCu Ecell calculated
Number Cu (NO3)2 experimental
1 0.1 M 0.80 V 1 -0.0296 V
2 0.001 M 0.02 V 3 -0.0888 V
 3 0.00001 M 0.03 V 5 -0.148 V
4 0.0000001 M 0.00 V 7 -0.2072 V

Laboratory Questions
1. Part A.3. The filter paper salt bridge is not wetted with the 0.1 M KNO3 solution. As a result,
will the measured potential of the cell be too high, too low, or unaffected? Explain.
The measured potential of the cell will be too low if the filter paper salt bridge is not wetter
with the 0.1 M KNO3 solution. Since ions flow through the wetted salt bridge as well as it also
maintains a balance in charge between the oxidation and reduction vessels while separated
from each other. On the other hand, the charge difference will prevent the electrons to flow if
the salt bridge is not wetted, wherein the charges will not be balanced.
2. Part A.3. A positive potential is recorded when the copper electrode is the positive electrode.
Is the copper electrode the cathode or the anode of the cell? Explain.
The copper electrode will be considered as a cathode since it yields a positive potential.
This also mean that it is where reduction occurs, and electrons are gained.
3. Part A.5. The measured reduction potentials are not equal to the calculated reduction
potentials. Give two reasons why this might observed.
If the measured reduction potentials are not equal to the calculated reduction potentials,
some possible sources of error may come from inaccurate measurements and the energy lost
or accepted from the surroundings.
4. Part B.2. Would the cell potential be higher or lower if the NH3 (aq) had been added to the 1 M
CuSO4 solution instead of the 0.001 M CuSO4 solution of the cell? Explain.
If NH3 (aq) had been added to the 1 M CuSO4 solution instead of the 0.001 M CuSO4
solution of the cell, the cell potential would be lower. Since the concentration of CuSO4 will
be higher which serves as a reducer, wherein it reduces the chances of redox relative to the
0.001M CuSO4. In addition, cell potential is dependent on the concentration of the materials
and can be observed in the Nernst Equation.
5. Part B.3. The cell potential increased (compared to Part B.2) with the addition of the Na2S
solution to the 0.001 M CuSO4 solution. Explain.
The addition of Na2S solution to the 0.001 M CuSO4 solution increases the cell potential
since more electrons will travel from anode to cathode as 0.001 M CuSO4 solution discharges
electrons. On the other hand, the voltage decreases since it will be assumed that there is an
absence of products in the reactions since all Cu stayed in the solid form and stayed as a
reactant.
6. Part C. As the concentration of the copper (II) ion increased from solution 4 to solution 1, did
the measured cell potential increase or decrease? Explain why the change occurred.
 The measured cell potential, as the concentration of the copper (II) ion increased from
solution 4 to solution 1, will increase. This is due to the greater pull of the copper (II) for
electrons. Which results to the zinc being oxidized and copper being reduced.
7. Part C. Suppose the 0.1 M Zn2+ solution had been diluted (instead of the Cu2+ solution),
would the measured cell potentials have increased or decreased? Explain why the change
occurred.
If Zn2+ solution was the one that had been diluted instead of the Cu2+ solution, the measure
cell potential would have increased. In this case, it moves the reaction away from the
equilibrium. The concentration of Zn2+ will decrease and the ration will decrease as well. On
the other hand, if Cu2+ solution is diluted, the reaction will move towards the equilibrium and
the cell potential will decrease.
8. Part C. How would you increased or decreased the Cu2+ concentrations and/or increase or
decrease the Zn2+ concentration to maximize the cell potential? Explain how the change for
each ion would maximize the cell potential.
If the alteration to each ion to the system pushes it away from the equilibrium, the cell
potential will increase. On the other hand, if the alteration to the system pushes the system
towards the equilibrium, the cell potential will decrease. Thus, any changes that will be made
in the concentration of Cu2+ and Zn2+ would maximize the cell potential.
Conclusion
In performing the experiment, we aim to measure the relative reduction potentials for a
number of redox couples, develop an understanding of the movement of electrons, anions, and
cations in a galvanic cell, study the factors affecting cell potentials and to estimate the
concentration of ions in solution using the Nernst equation. In the experiment, we observed and
compared the theoretical cell potential and the actual cell potential. Copper and zinc were the
electrodes considered in the experimental setup and were observed in each galvanic cell, a cathode
and an anode, and it also includes a salt bridge that connects the half-cells to control the movement
of ions. It was observed in the anode region that the electrons flow towards the cathode, which is
considered as the positive electrode, where oxidations occurs. On the other hand, a formation of
rust-like metal was observed in the cathode region. Different concentrations of CuSO4 were also
observed and tested. It was shown that the container with the lower concentrations are the anodes
and the other were considered the cathode. The cell potentials were determined using a voltmeter.
It was found that the theoretical values of the cell potential are higher than the experimental which
resulting to a large percentage error. The possible source of error might have caused by the
inaccurate measurements and the energy lost or gained in the surrounding.
Calculations:
𝐸°𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 𝐸° cathode − 𝐸° anode = 𝐸° 𝐶𝑢𝑆𝑂4 − 𝐸° 𝐶𝑢𝑆𝑂4 = 0.34 − 0.34 = 0𝑉
Solution 1:
0.0592
𝐸𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 0𝑉 − (1) = -0.0296 𝑉
2
Solution 2:
0.0592
𝐸𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 0𝑉 − (3) = -0.0888 𝑉
2
Solution 3:
0.0592
𝐸𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 0𝑉 − (5) = -0.148 𝑉
2
Solution 4:
0.0592
𝐸𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 0𝑉 − (7) = -0.2072 𝑉
2