Electrochemistry Flashcards
What is reduction?
Gaining electrons.
What is oxidation?
Losing electrons.
What is the oxidizing agent?
The element that gains electrons.
What is the reducing agent?
The element that loses electrons.
What is the standard reduction potential?
These are the potentials/voltages that are measured against the standard H electrodes.
What is the reduction potential sign for a spontaneous reaction?
+, > 0
What is the reduction potential sign for a nonspontaneous reaction?
-, < 0
What can we use to find the reduction potential?
- ) Measure directly with a voltmeter
- ) Calculate using standard reduction potentials
- ) Calculate using the equilibrium constant
What is the strongest OA?
Copper - top right
What is the strongest RA?
Cobalt - bottom left
What happens in the cathode?
Reduction
What happens in the anode?
Oxidation
What 2 elements are needed to find spontaneity?
- ) The number of electrons being transferred
2. ) Based on how difficult it is to move the electrons
What can be used to predict spontaneity?
- ) E cell values
- ) Gibb’s Free Energy
- ) Q vs K
What 2 factors impact the cell potential?
- ) The tendency to oxidize or reduce
2. ) Standard conditions - typically use non-standard conditions.
How to determine the tendency of a substance to oxidize or reduce?
The standard Ecell because the greater the value for a substance that substance is the OA and is reduced. However if the standard Ecell is less positive and a smaller value that substance is the RA and is oxidized.
What happens to the Ecell, K, and G when products are favored?
- K»1
- Ecell>0
- G<0
What happens to the Ecell, K, and G when reactants are favored?
- K«1
- Ecell<0
- G>0
