1 Redox reactions can be used to generate electrical energy from electrochemical cells.

(a) A student carries out an investigation based on the redox systems shown in Table 5.1 below.

redox system E –o–/ V

1 Ni2+(aq) + 2e– Ni(s) –0.25
2 Fe3+(aq) + e– Fe2+(aq) +0.77
3 Cr3+(aq) + 3e– Cr(s) –0.74

Table 5.1

The student sets up two standard cells to measure two standard cell potentials.
• Cell A is based on redox systems 1 and 2.
• Cell B is based on redox systems 1 and 3.

(i) Draw a labelled diagram to show how the student could have set up Cell A, based on
redox systems 1 and 2, to measure the standard cell potential.

[3]

(ii) For each standard cell below,

• what would be the standard cell potential?
• what would be the sign of the Ni electrode?

Cell A based on redox system 1 and 2:

standard cell potential = ........................................................... V

sign of Ni electrode, + or – = ...............................................................

Cell B based on redox system 1 and 3:

standard cell potential = ........................................................... V

sign of Ni electrode, + or – = ...............................................................

[2]
(b) The student left each cell in (a) connected for a length of time.

For each cell, the student weighed the nickel electrode before connecting the cell and after
the cell had been disconnected.

The student made the following observations.

• In Cell A, the nickel electrode lost mass.

• In Cell B, the nickel electrode gained mass.
• In both cells, the measured cell potential slowly changed.

Explain these observations. Include equations in your answer.

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(c) Nickel metal hydride cells (NiMH cells) are being developed for possible use in cars.
In a NiMH cell, an alloy is used to absorb hydrogen as a metal hydride. For simplicity, the alloy
can be represented as M and the metal hydride as MH.

The overall cell reaction in a NiMH cell is shown below.

MH + NiO(OH) M + Ni(OH)2

The half-equation at one electrode is shown below.

NiO(OH) + H2O + e– Ni(OH)2 + OH–

(i) Deduce the half-equation at the other electrode.

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(ii) State a method, other than absorption, that is being developed to store hydrogen for
possible use as a fuel in cars.

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[Total: 10]
1 Standard electrode potentials for seven redox systems are shown in Table 7.1.
You may need to use this information in parts (a)–(d) of this question.

Redox Eo /V
system
1 Mg2+(aq) + 2e– Mg(s) –2.37
2 Cu2+(aq) + 2e– Cu(s) +0.34
3 Al 3+(aq) + 3e– Al (s) –1.66
4 Fe3+(aq) + e– Fe2+(aq) +0.77
5 I2(aq) + 2e– 2I–(aq) +0.54
6 Cl 2(g) + 2e– 2Cl –(aq) +1.36
7 ClO (aq) + 2H+(aq) + e–
– ½Cl 2(g) + H2O(l)
(l) +

Table 7.1

(a) Define the term standard electrode potential.

Include all standard conditions in your answer.

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(b) An electrochemical cell can be made based on redox systems 1 and 2.

Write down the standard cell potential of this cell.

standard cell potential = ...................................................... V [1]

(c) Using redox systems 3, 4 and 5 only in Table 7.1, predict three reactions that might be
feasible.

(i) Write the overall equation for each predicted reaction.

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 (ii) Give two reasons why it is uncertain whether reactions predicted from E o values may
actually take place.

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(d) In aqueous acid, Cl –(aq) ions react with ClO–(aq) ions to form chlorine gas, Cl 2(g).
In aqueous alkali, chlorine gas, Cl 2(g), reacts to form Cl –(aq) and ClO–(aq) ions.

Explain this difference.

Use Table 7.1 to help you with your answer.

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(e) In acidic conditions, Sn2+ ions react with IO3– ions to produce iodine and Sn4+ ions.

(i) What is the oxidising agent in this reaction?

Explain your answer.

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(ii) Construct an equation for this reaction.

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[Total: 15]
Turn over
1 Three redox systems, C, D and E are shown in Table
6.1.
C Ag(NH3)2+(aq) + e– Ag(s) + 2NH3(aq)
D Ag+(aq) + e– Ag(s)
E Ag(CN)2–(aq) + e– Ag(s) + 2CN–(aq)

Table 6.1

The two cells below were set up in an experiment to compare the standard electrode potentials of
redox systems C, D and E. The signs on each electrode are shown.

V – V +

salt bridge salt bridge

Ag Ag Ag Ag

NH3(aq) CN–(aq) NH3(aq)

Ag(NH3)+2(aq) Ag(CN)2–(aq) Ag(NH3)+2(aq) Ag+(aq)

(a) List the three redox systems in order by adding the labels C, D and E to the table below.

o redox
E
system

Most
negative

Least
negative
[1]
(b) A standard cell is set up between redox system D in Table 6.1 and a standard hydrogen half-
cell. The standard cell potential of redox system D is +0.34 V.

The cell delivers a current for a length of time.

The pH of the solution in the standard hydrogen half-cell decreases.

(i) What is the pH of the solution in a standard hydrogen half-cell?

pH = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain, in terms of electrode potentials and equilibrium, why the pH of the solution in the
hydrogen half-cell decreases as this cell delivers current.

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(iii) Write the equation for the overall cell reaction that takes place in this cell.

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(c) The CN– ion is the conjugate base of a very toxic weak acid.

In aqueous solutions of CN– ions, an acid–base equilibrium is set up.

(i) Complete the equation for this equilibrium and label the conjugate acid–base pairs.

CN– + H2O ..................... + .....................

..................... ..................... ..................... .....................

[1]

(ii) Explain, in terms of equilibrium, why acidic conditions should not be used with cells
containing CN–(aq) ions.

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(d) Direct-ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) are being developed in which the fuel is ethanol rather than
hydrogen.

The half-equation for the reaction at the ethanol electrode of the DEFC is shown below:

C2H5OH + 3H2O 2CO2 + 12H+ + 12e–

(i) State one important difference between a fuel cell and a modern storage cell.

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(ii) Suggest one advantage of using ethanol, rather than hydrogen, in a fuel cell for vehicles.

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(iii) The overall reaction in a DEFC is the same as for the complete combustion of ethanol.

Write the equation for the overall reaction in a DEFC.

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(iv) Deduce the half-equation for the reaction at the oxygen electrode in a DEFC.

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(v) Using oxidation numbers, show that oxidation and reduction take place in a DEFC.

Oxidation: ..........................................................................................................................

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Reduction: .........................................................................................................................

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[Total: 13]