1.11 Electrode potential and cells Flashcards

1
Q

Write a half equation for zinc s to zinc ion

A

Zn(s) <–>Zn2+(aq) + 2e-

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2
Q

What is the simplest salt bridge made of

A

Filter paper soaked in saturated solution of KNO3 (potassium nitrate)

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3
Q

Why are salt bridges necessary

A

Complete the circuit but avoid further metal/ion potentials as does not perform electrochemistry
Allows ion movement to balance the charge. Dont react with electrodes

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4
Q

What symbol is used to represent a salt bridge in standard notation

A

||

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5
Q

What type of species goes on the outside (furthest from saltbridge) in standard cell notation

A

The most reduced species

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6
Q

What does | indicate

A

Phase boundary (solid/liquid/gas)

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7
Q

How would an aluminium/copper cell be represented

A

Al(s) | Al3+(aq)||Cu2+(aq)|Cu(s)

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8
Q

What happens at the left hand electrode

A

Left hand electrode is where oxidation occurs
Left hand electrode is the half cell with the most negative E cell value

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9
Q

What happens at the right hand electrode

A

Right hand electrode is where reduction occurs
Right hand electrode is the half cell with the most positive E cell value

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10
Q

Which side of the cell has the most negative e cell value? what happens to the metal with the most negative e cell value

A

Oxidation - left hand electrode

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11
Q

What conditions is the standard hydrogen electrode used in

A

Temp = 298K
Pressure = 100kPa
[H+] = 1.00 moldm-3 (conc)

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12
Q

What is the standard hydrogen electrode used for

A

Comparing other cells against
E cell of SHE is defined as 0 so all other E cell values are compared against it

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13
Q

Why might you use other standard hydrogen electrodes occasionally

A

Cheaper/easier/quicker to use
Platinum is expensive

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14
Q

If E cell is more negative what does it mean in terms of oxidising/reducing power

A

Better reducing agent (easier to oxidise)

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15
Q

If e cell is more positive what does it mean in terms of oxidising/reducing power

A

Better oxidising agent (easier to reduce)

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16
Q

What factors will change e cell values

A

Conc of ions
Temperature

17
Q

What happens if you reduce the conc of ions in left hand half cell

A

Eqm moves to left to oppose change of removing ions; releases more electrons, e cell of LH cell becomes more negative so e.m.f of cell increases

18
Q

How to calculate emf of a cell from e cell

A

E cell = E right - E left

19
Q

When would you use a platinum electrode

A

When both the oxidised and reduced forms of the metal are in aqueous solution

20
Q

What are zinc/carbon cells more commonly known as

A

Disposable batteries

21
Q

What are the 2 reactions that take place in zinc/carbon cells

A

Zn oxidised to Zn2+
NH4 + reduced to NH3 at carbon electrode

22
Q

How are cells recharged

A

Reactions are reversible and are reversed by running a higher voltage through the cell then the cells E cell

23
Q

Where are lithium ion cells used

A

Mobile phones
Laptops

24
Q

What is a fuel cell

A

A cell that is used to generate electric current; doesnt require electrical recharging

25
Q

What are the reactions that take place at the two electrons in an alkaline hydrogen fuel cell

A

2H2 + 4OH- –> 4H2O + 4e-
O2 + 2H2O + 4e- –> 4OH-

26
Q

Disadvantages of fuel cells

A

Hydrogen is a flammable gas with low bp –> hard and dangerous to store and transport –> expensive to buy
Fuel cells have a limited lifetime and use toxic chemicals in their manufacture

27
Q

How do you find the weakest reducing agent from a table of electrode potential data

A

Most positive e cell value, then the product of the reduction equation eg equation from right to left

28
Q

Why cant some cells be recharged

A

Reaction of cell isnt reversible - a product is produced that either dissipates or cannot be converted back into the reactants

29
Q

Why might the emf of a cell change after a period of time

A

Concs of ions change - reagents are used up

30
Q

How can the e.m.f of a cell be kept constant

A

Reagents are supplied constantly, so the concs of ions are constant; e cell remains constant