Chapter 20 (Electrode Potential and Electrochemical Cells) Flashcards
What is oxidation?
Loss of electrons/increase in oxidation number
What is reduction?
Gain of electrons/decrease in oxidation number
What does an oxidising agent do?
Accepts electrons
What does a reducing agent do?
Donates electrons
What are the steps for writing a redox reaction?
1) Write more negative reaction as oxidation
2) Write more positive reaction as a reduction
3) Balance the number of electrons being transferred between the two reactions
4) Combine the two half equations
How is an electrode potential between a metal and solution formed?
When a metal in placed in a solution of its ions, some of the metal atoms form ions and go into the solution, resulting in a slight build up of electrons on the metal. This build up of charge produces an electrode chemical potential between the metal and its solution.
What is a half reaction?
The equilibrium between the metal and its ions.
How is an electrochemical cell formed?
Two half reactions are connected using a salt bridge.
What factor increases a potential difference?
A greater tendency of a metal to produce ions
What are the standard conditions for electrode potentials?
Concentration = 1 mol dm-3 solution of ions
Temperature = 298 K
Pressure(if gas involved) = 100kpa
Zero current
Why is a high resistance voltage meter used?
The high resistance stops the current from flowing in the circuit which stops reactions from occurring. This allows it to measure the maximum possible potential difference.
Where must the S.H.E be when measuring standard electrode potential?
On the left`
How is standard electrode potential measured?
The difference between the standard electrode potential between a given electrode under standard conditions and the standard hydrogen electrode.
What does a vertical bar mean for cell notation?
Phase boundary
What does a double vertical bar mean for cell notation?
Salt bridge