CHM143 TUTORIAL 6 ELECTROCHEMISTRY

1. Define oxidation in terms of electron transfer.

Oxidation is the process in which an atom or ion loses electrons.

2. State the oxidation numbers of the underlined elements in each of the following ions,
molecules or compounds:

a) H2O2 (-1)

b) H2O (-2)

c) NO3- (+5)

d) S2O32- (+2)

e) KIO3 (+5)

3. State whether the change of Cr2O72- ion to Cr3+ ion is an oxidation or reduction.

The change is reduction

4. Will a reaction take place if a strip of zinc metal is placed in a solution of lead(II) sulfate?
Justify your answer.

Oxidation half reaction : Zn  Zn2+ + 2e Eo = +0.76 V

Reduction half reaction : Pb2+ + 2e  Pb Eo = -0.13 V

Overall reaction : Zn + Pb2+  Zn2+ + Pb ∆Eo = +0.63 V

∆Eo for the overall reaction is positive. Thus a zinc strip will react spontaneously with lead(II)
sulfate solution.

5. Calculate ∆Eo for the following equation:

3Br2(l) + 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l)  Cr2O72- (aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6Br-(aq)

Decide whether the equation represents a spontaneous or nonspontaneous reaction at

standard conditions.

Reduction half reaction : 3Br2(l) + 6e  6Br-(aq) Eo = +1.06 V

Oxidation half reaction : 2Cr3+(aq)  Cr2O72- (aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e Eo = -1.33 V

Overall reaction : ∆Eo = -0.27 V

∆Eo for the overall reaction is negative. Thus the reaction is nonspontaneous as written

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CHM143 TUTORIAL 6 ELECTROCHEMISTRY

6. Calculate Eo cell for the following reaction:

a) Al(s) + 3Ag+ (aq)  Al3+(aq) + 3Ag(s) (answer 2.46 V)

Oxidation (anode) : Al (s)  Al3+(aq) + 3e Eo = +1.66 V

Reduction (cathode) : 3Ag+(aq) + 3e  3Ag(s) Eo = +0.80 V

Eo cell = Eo oxidation + Eo reduction

= (+1.66) + (+0.80) = +2.46 V

Or Eo cell = Eo cathode – Eo anode

= (+0.80) – ( -1.66) = +2.46 V

b) 2Fe2+ (aq) + Cd2+(aq)  2Fe3+(aq) + Cd(s) (answer -1.17 V)

Oxidation (anode) : 2Fe2+(aq)  2Fe3+(aq) + 2e Eo = -0.77 V

Reduction (cathode) : Cd2+(aq) + 2e  Cd(s) Eo = -0.40 V

Eo cell = Eo oxidation + Eo reduction

= (-0.77) + (-0.40) = -1.17 V

Or Eo cell = Eo cathode – Eo anode

= (-0.40) – ( + 0.77) = - 1.17 V

** please refer to the Table of Standard Reduction Potential (SRP)

7. An electrochemical cell based on the following reaction has a standard cell voltage (E ocell) of
0.48 V.

Sn(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Sn2+ (aq) + Cu(s)

Find the standard reduction potential of tin. Sn2+ (aq) +2e  Sn(s) (answer -0.14 V)

Oxidation (anode) : Sn(s)  Sn2+ (aq) + 2e Eo = +0.14 V

Reduction (cathode) : Cu2+(aq) + 2e  Cu(s) Eo = +0.34 V

Eo cell = Eo oxidation + Eo reduction

0.48 = x + (0.34)

x= +0.14 V

 standard reduction potential of tin. Sn2+ (aq) +2e  Sn(s) = -0.14V

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CHM143 TUTORIAL 6 ELECTROCHEMISTRY

8. A voltaic cell is represented by the following cell symbol.

Cu(s) | Cu2+(aq) (1M) || Cl2(g) (0.5 atm) | Cl-(aq) (0.25M) | Pt

Given: Cu2+(aq) + 2e → Cu(s) Eo = + 0.34 V

Cl2(g) + 2e → 2Cl-(aq) Eo = + 1.36 V

a) Identify the oxidizing agent and reducing agent.

(2 marks)
Answer
Oxidising agent: Cl2 [1M] Reducing agent: Cu [1 M]

b) Construct a complete electrochemical cell diagram for the above voltaic cell.
(3 marks)
Answer

c) Calculate the Eocell.

Answer

(2 marks)
Eo
cell =E o
–E
cathode
o
[½ M]
anode

= + 1.36 V – (+ 0.34 V) [1M]

= 1.02 V [½ M]

d) Write half-equations to represent the oxidation and reduction processes of the cell.
(2marks)
Answer
Oxidation half-equation: Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2e [1M]
Reduction half-equation: Cl2(g) + 2e → 2Cl (aq) -
[1M]

e) Write overall reaction equation.

(1 mark)
Answer
Cu(s) + Cl2(g) → Cu2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) [1M]

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CHM143 TUTORIAL 6 ELECTROCHEMISTRY

f) Determine the Ecell.

(4 marks)
Answer
Ecell = Eocell – 0.0592 log Q [½ M]
n

= 1.02 – 0.0592 log [Cu2+ ] [Cl- ]2 [1 M]

2 PCl2
= 1.02 – 0.0296 log (1M)(0.25 M)2 [1 M]
0.5 atm
= 1.02 – 0.0296 log(0.125) [½ M]
= 1.02 – 0.0296 (-0.903)
= 1.02 + 0.027
= 1.047 [1 M]

9. Calculate the electrode potential at 298 K for the electrode system

Fe3+(aq) + e-  Fe2+(aq) Eo = +0.77 V

In this electrode system, Fe3+ (aq) and Fe2+(aq) are 0.50 moldm-3, and 0.25 moldm-3,
respectively.

E = Eo - 0.0592/n log[Fe2+]/ [Fe3+]

E= +0.77 - 0.0592/1 log 0.25/0. 5

= + 0.787 V

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CHM143 TUTORIAL 6 ELECTROCHEMISTRY

10. The overall cell reaction in an electrochemical cell is shown below.

Zn(s) + 2H+ (aq)  Zn2+ (aq) + H2(g)

Calculate the cell voltage when [H+ (aq)] = 8 x 10-6 M, [Zn2+(aq)] = 1.0 M and pressure of
hydrogen = 1.0 atm.

Oxidation (anode) : Zn(s)  Zn2+ (aq) + 2e Eo = +0.76 V

Reduction (cathode) : 2H+ (aq) + 2e  H2(g) Eo = 0.00 V

Eo cell = Eo oxidation + Eo reduction

= 0.76 + 0.00

= +0.76 V

Ecell = Eo - 0.0592/n log Q

= 0.76 - 0.0592/2 log [Zn2+(aq)] x p hydrogen

[H+(aq)]2

= 0.76 – 0.059/2 log (1.0)/8 x 10-6)2 x 1atm

= 0.76 -0.30

= +0.46 V

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