Topic 14 - Redox 2 Flashcards
(55 cards)
What is oxidation?
the loss of electrons, oxidation numbers increase
What is reduction?
The gain of electrons, oxidation numbers will decrease
How do s-block metals react in a redox reaction?
lose electrons to form positive ions with charges the same as their group number
How do p-block metals react in a redox reaction?
Can react by losing electrons, but non-metals react by gaining electrons to form negative ions with charges the same as their group number
How do d-block metals react in a redox reaction?
Form on with variable oxidation states , but tend to form positive ions with positive oxidation numbers
How is an electrochemical cell formed?
Two different metals dipped into salt solution of their own ions and connected by a wire
What is the redox process in an electrochemical cell?
Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, where oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode
How does reactivity affect which metal is oxidised or reduced?
Reactive metals form ions more readily than unreactive metals, so more reactive metal is oxidised (anode) and the less reactive metal becomes the cathode
What is the cell potential (E cell)?
The voltage between the two half-cells
Why is platinum used as an electrode for solutions?
To provide an electrical connection to the external circuit, so needs to conduct electricity and be very inert (won’t react with anything)
Why is graphite used instead of platinum?
As platinum is very expensive
What does electrode potential measure?
How easily the substance in the half-cell is oxidised
How does a potential difference build up?
As the substances in the half-cells are either oxidised or reduced, due to the difference in charge between the electrode and the ions in solution
What is the standard electrode potential of a half-cell?
The voltage measured under standard conditions when the half-cell is connected to a standard hydrogen electrode
What happens to more negative E values?
- equilibrium lies further to the left than hydrogen
- metal atoms lose electrons more readily to form ions
What happens to more positive E values?
- Equilibrium lies further to the right than hydrogen
- metal atoms lose electrons less readily to form ions
What is the equation for E cell?
E cell = E reduced - E oxidation
What is the point of standard conditions?
Always get the same value for the electrode potential and can compare values for different cells
What are the rules of representing electrochemical cells in short hand?
- half-cell with more negative potential goes on the left
- oxidised forms go in the center
- double vertical lines represent the salt bridge
- Standard hydrogen half-cell should always go on the left
- if half-cells use inert electrodes show on outside of diagram
How does metal reactivity affect oxidation and electron potentials?
more reactive metal more easily loses electrons and have more negative standard electrode potentials
How can you determine thermodynamic feasibility from E values?
If the E cell is positive
When does disproportionation occur?
An element in a single species is simultaneously oxidised and reduced in the same reaction
What happens if you increase concentration of the more negative electrode potential?
- fewer electrons will be released
- electrode potential will be less negative
- E cell becomes less feasible
What happens if concentration of less negative electrode potential is increased?
- More electrons gained
- electrode potential will be more positive
- E cell becomes more feasible