chem3 Flashcards
(131 cards)
What is a redox reaction?
any reaction where one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
In a redox reaction, if an atom loses electron, is it being oxidized or reduced?
oxidized
In a redox reaction, if an atom gains electron, is it being oxidized or reduced?
reduced
What is a reducing agent?
atom or molecule that donates electrons to another atom or molecule and is itself oxidized in the process.
what is an oxidizing agent?
atom or molecule that accepts electrons and is itself reduced in the process.
In the reaction Fe(s) + H2O(l) –> H2(g) + FeO(s),
what is the reducing agent, what is the oxidizing agent?
Fe is reducing agent as it is being oxidized.
He is oxidizing agent as it is being reduced.
Assign an oxidation state to each of the atoms in each of the following molecules: a) (NH4)2SO4, b) FeCO3, c) H2O2, d) NaH, e) SF6.
a) N = -3 ; H = +1 ; S = + 6; O = -2 b) Fe = +2 ; C = +4 ; O = -2 ; c) H = +1 ; O = -1 d) Na = +1 ; H = -1 e) S = +6 ; F = -1.
What is a cell potential?
E*cell is the sum of the electrical potentials for the two half reactions that make up an electrochemical cell.
T/F? a) Species for which E° is negative cannot be spontaneously reduced, but are often oxidized; b) The hydrogen half-cell has no affinity for electrons as demonstrated by its electrical potential, E° = 0.00 V; c) based on the half-reactions given in the table above, the potential for Cu(s) to be reduced by one electron is -0.52 V
a) false
b) fasle
c) We included this question because it seems to create confusion. Reduction half- reactions can be reversed to give oxidation potentials. In other words, the half-reaction runs in the opposite direction. Notice, however, that the reverse of one of these half-reactions involves the LOSS of one or more electrons as the metal forms the associated metal cation. For some reason, it is common for students to think that reversing the sign of the reduction potential gives the voltage associated with reduction of the solid metal. For the MCAT, just remember that cations (Cu+, Fe2+, etc.) get reduced to form solid metals (Cu(s), Fe(s), etc.), and solid metals get oxidized to form cations, but solid metals are NOT reduced.
What are three rules for cell potential?
1) half reactions always come in pairs- one reduction half reaction plus one oxidation half reactions.
2) The oxidation half reaction is the reverse of the reduction half reaction. E* for any oxidation half reaction is simply the negative of E* for the associated reduction half reaction.
3) you cannot add two E* values directly off of a half reaction table.
What redox reaction is found in the last step of the ETC?
O2 + 4H+ + 4e- –> 2H2O
E= 1.23V
What is a galvanic cell?
convert chemical energy into electrical energy. A current can be spontaneously generated along a wire that connects two metal electrodes submerged in a solution that contains metal ions.
Reduction always happens at the ___ and oxidation always happens at the ____
cathode; anode
Is cathode the + or -?
+
what is the purpose of the salt bridge in the galvanic cell?
the salt bridge connects the circuit, allowing continual flow of electrons from electrode to electrode and then back through the salt bridge via ion diffusion.
Which of the following species can form a spontaneous Galvanic cell with copper, where copper is at the cathode?”
Though any two metals can spontaneously react to form a galvanic cell, the question specifically asks for copper to be reduced so the reducing agent (substance being oxidized) needs to have a lower reduction potential.
What is true of galvanic cells but not electrolytic cells?
a) cell potential is always positive
b) cathode = + and anode = -
A and B
what is an electrolytic cell?
A galvanic cell to which an external voltage is applied, forcing the electrons to flow in the opposite direction.
Where do oxidation occur? anode or cathode?
anode(-)
where does reduction occur: cathode or anode?
cathode (+)
Which species will be reduced in electrolytic cell?
species with lower reduction potential will be reduced.
Is cell potential always positive in an galvanic cell or electrolytic cell?
galvanic
Is cell potential always negative in an galvanic cell or electrolytic cell?
electrolytic
what is a concentration cell?
A special type of galvanic cell; The same electrodes and solution are used in both beakers. In one beaker, the metal is oxidized via its oxidation half-reaction, and in the other beaker it is reduced via its reduction half-reaction.