Chapter 17 Electrochemistry Flashcards
a redox reaction
One that entails changes in oxidation number (or oxidation state) for one or more of the elements involved.
the oxidation number of an neutral atom in an element is
+ex
Zero
ex: Cl2
Oxidation number
*ex with +/- on
The total number of electrons that an atom either gains or loses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom. The iron ion Fe3+, for example, has an oxidation number of +3 because it can acquire three electrons to form a chemical bond, while the oxygen ion O2− has an oxidation number of −2 because it can donate two electrons.
In an electronically neutral substance, the sum of the oxidation numbers is
0
oxygen ON is
-2 but -1 in peroxide (ANY PROXIDE)
Consequential to these rules, the sum of oxidation numbers for all atoms in a molecule is equal to
the charge on the molecule
What are the oxidation numbers?
the oxidation number for nitrogen is +5 and that for oxygen is −2, summing to equal the 1− charge on the molecule:What a
Oxidation
Lose electron
Reduction
Gain in electron
balancing equations for aqueous redox reactions steps:
- Write skeletal equations for the oxidation and reduction half-reactions.
- Balance each half-reaction for all elements except H and O
- Balance each half-reaction for O by adding H2O.
- Balance each half-reaction for H by adding H+.
- Balance each half-reaction for charge by adding electrons.
- If necessary, multiply one or both half-reactions so that the number of electrons consumed in one is equal to the number produced in the other.
- Add the two half-reactions and simplify.
- If the reaction takes place in a basic medium, add OH− ions the equation obtained in step 7 to neutralize the H+ ions (add in equal numbers to both sides of the equation) and simplify
galvanic cells (or voltaic cells) (5)
+ what is included in the setup of the cell
- those in which a spontaneous redox reaction takes place
- comprised of two half-cells, each containing the redox conjugate pair (one solid one aq ex: solid cu/cu2+aq and solid Ag/Ag2+)
- An external circuit is connected to each half-cell at its solid foil, meaning the Cu and Ag foil each function as an electrode.
- An external circuit is connected to each half-cell at its solid foil, meaning the Cu and Ag foil each function as an electrode.
- To keep the reactants separate while maintaining charge-balance, the two half-cell solutions are connected by a tube filled with inert electrolyte solution called a salt bridge
anode
What occurs here and which process?
the electrode at which oxidation occurs
positive end, where electrons leave
cathode
The electrode where reduction occurs
negative terminal or electrode through which electrons enter
The redox reactions in a galvanic cell occur only at
the interface between each half-cell’s reaction mixture and its electrode.
In the galvanic cell, positive charge build up at
the annode
In the galvanic cell, negative charge build up at
the cathode
Why a salt bridge is needed
Without the salt bridge, the solution in the anode compartment would become positively charged and the solution in the cathode compartment would become negatively charged,because of the charge imbalance. The attractive and repulsive forces will prohibit the flow of electrons within the cell.
Difference between Galvanic and electrolytic cells
Galvanic cells derives its energy from spontaneous redox reactions, while electrolytic cells involve non-spontaneous reactions and thus require an external electron source like a DC battery or an AC power source.
cell notations (3)
- The relevant components of each half-cell are represented by their chemical formulas or element symbols
- All interfaces between component phases are represented by vertical parallel lines; if two or more components are present in the same phase, their formulas are separated by commas
- By convention, the schematic begins with the anode and proceeds left-to-right identifying phases and
interfaces encountered within the cell, ending with the cathode
inert electrode (2)
Why we use this+how does it work
- This is required when neither member of the half-cell’s redox couple can reasonably function as an electrode, which must be electrically conductive and in a phase separate from the half-cell solution.
- simply provide or accept electrons to redox species in solution
active electrodes
Electrodes constructed from a member of the redox couple
When measured for purposes of electrochemistry, a potential reflects the
driving force for a specific type of charge transfer process, namely, the transfer of electrons between redox reactants.
cell potentials, Ecell (2)
What it is+formula
the difference in potential between two half-cells
standard cell potential, E°cell
a cell potential measured when both half-cells are under standard-state conditions (1 M concentrations, 1 bar pressures, 298 K)