A Level Chemistry: Electrode Potentials 1

Electrode Potentials Homework – /26

Name……………………………………… Date due………………………

1. Define the term standard electrode potential

[3]

2. Describe the necessary conditions to determine the standard electrode

potential for a half cell [2]

3. A student wished to analyse the iron (II) content of a tablet given to

pregnant women. He decided to oxidise the iron (II) with acidified
potassium dichromate (VI).
The standard electrode potentials for the reactions involved are given
below.
Cr2O72- + 14H+ + 6e- 2Cr3+ + 7H2O Eo = +1.33V
Fe3+ + e- Fe2+ Eo = +0.77V

(a) Explain, using the data given, why acidified dichromate (VI),
Cr2O72-, is able to oxidise iron (II), Fe2+.

[1]
b) Construct the equation for this oxidation.

[2]
A Level Chemistry: Electrode Potentials 2
4. An electrochemical cell was set up based on the following electrode
reactions.
Fe2+(aq) + 2e- Fe(s) Eo = -0.44V
V3+(aq) + e- V2+(aq) Eo = -0.26V

a) (i) Sketch a diagram of this cell working under standard conditions.

[4]
(ii) Calculate the standard cell potential of this cell.

[1]
b) Suggest why it is unlikely that this would be the value recorded in a
laboratory cell. [1]

5a) Use the data below to explain why VO2+ can be used to reduce MnO4- in
acidic solution.
VO2+ + 2H+ + e- VO2+ + H2O Eo = +1.00V
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O Eo = +1.51V

[2]
A Level Chemistry: Electrode Potentials 3
b) Construct the overall equation for this reaction.

[2]
6. Some standard electrode potentials involving copper and its ions are given
in the table below.

Electrode reaction Eo/V

Cu+ + e- Cu + 0.52

Cu2+ + 2e- Cu + 0.34

Cu2+ + e- Cu+ + 0.15

a) Use these data to explain why the reaction below is likely to occur.

2Cu+  Cu2+ + Cu

[1]

b) This type of reaction can be called disproportionation. Explain the

meaning of this term.

[1]

7. Fuel cells are a type of electrochemical cell being developed as a

potential source of energy in the future.
a) State one important difference between a fuel cell and a conventional
electrochemical cell. [1]

b) write the equation for the overall reaction that takes place in a hydrogen
fuel cell. [1]
A Level Chemistry: Electrode Potentials 4
8. Lead-sulfuric acid accumulators are used widely as electrical power
supplies in vehicles. They do however have the disadvantage of being
heavy and the soft lead metal being damaged easily.
More expensive cells have been developed that are lighter, stronger and,
in some cases, more reliable. An example is a zinc –silver cell in which
concentrated potassium hydroxide is the electrolyte.

a) When supplying current, part of the chemical change at the negative

electrode of a lead-sulfuric acid accumulator is

Pb + HSO4-  PbSO4 + H+

Balance this half-equation by adding electrons. [1]

b) The overall equation in the accumulator is

Pb + PbO2 + 2H+ + 2HSO4-  2PbSO4 + 2H2O

Give the half-equation for the reaction at the positive electrode.

[1]

c) The overall reaction taking place in the zinc-silver cell with a potassium
hydroxide electrolyte is

Ag2O + Zn + H 2O  2Ag + Zn(OH)2

[Note: Ag2O is formed because AgOH is unstable and cannot exist in the cell.]

Suggest half-equations for the reactions at both electrodes within

the cell. (Label which is the negative electrode, oxidation, and which is the
positive electrode, reduction.) [2]