✅3.1 Redox and Standard Electrode Potential Flashcards
What is an oxidising agent?
A substance that takes electrons from another substance and so it itself is reduced
What is a reducing agent
A substance that gives electrons to another substance and so it itself is oxidised
What is oxidation?
A process where electrons are lost
What is reduction
A process where electrons are gained
Name the parts of an electrochemical cell
1 mol of solution Electrode of that metal Wire High resistance voltmeter Salt bridge Another metal electrode 1 mol of another solution All measured under standard conditions
Why is the wire important in an electrochemical cell
Allows electrons to flow from the half cell where oxidation occurs to the half cell where reduction occurs
When would you use a high resistance voltmeter in an electrochemical cell?
When measuring the potential difference of the cell (voltage)
What is the significance of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell
Completed the circuit allowing ions to flow without the solutions mixing
What solution is a salt bridge generally soaked in
Potassium nitrate solution
What must each half cell contain
The products and reactants of the half equation e.g
Cu(s) electrode —> Cu2+ solution + 2e-
Why must a half cell contain metal?
To allow electrons to flow in/out of the half cell
What are the 3 types of half cell?
- Metal/Metal ions
- A gas in contact with a solution of non metal ions, with an inert metal electrode
- A solution containing ions of a metal in two different oxidation states, again using an inert metal electrode
What is present in the metal/metal ions half cell?
A piece of metal as the electrode with a solution containing a 1 mol solution of the metal ions
State the colour change present as the copper ions are reduced
Solution may go from blue—> colourless as the copper ions are reduced
Why must you use an inert platinum electrode in a half cell with a gas in contact with a solution of non metal ions or a half cell containing ions of metal in two different oxidation states?
Non metals are not conductors and :: we use an inert platinum electrode to allow electrons to follow in/out of the half cell.
Give two examples of a half cell with gas in contact with a solution of non metal ions
Hydrogen or oxygen electrode half cells
Describe the colour change of a half cell with a gas in contact with a solution of non metal ions.
There is no apparent colour change
When is a half cell with a solution containing ions of a metal in two different oxidation states used?
Typically used for transition metals with several oxidation states e.g Fe2+ and Fe3+ or Mn2+/MnO4-
What is the colour change for the reaction:
Fe3+ + e- —> Fe2+
Yellow/orange (Fe3+) —> pale green (Fe2+)