Electrochemistry Flashcards
What are electrochemical cells?
Batteries
What are electrochemical cells made up of?
Two half cells
What if a half cell usually made up of?
- Solid metal (x) electrode- 1.0 mol.dm^-3 solution of (x) ions (aq)
What is set up in a half cell?
An equilibrium between x(s) and x ions (aq)
What can happen to a half cells equilibrium?
It can shift depending on the other half cell
What happens in the forward reaction of a half cell?
- Reduction- Ions form the solid- Electrons enter from the other half cell
What happens in the reverse reaction of a half cell?
- Oxidation- Solid forms the ions- Electrons leave to go to the other half cell
What can two half cells be combined to create?
A potential difference
How can you work out which half-cell is oxidised?
- Put the most negative half cell on top- Top equation is oxidised
How can you work out which half-cell is reduced?
- Put the most negative half cell on top- Bottom equation is reduced
Which half cell belongs on the LHS?
The one being oxidised
What happens at the LHS?
- Oxidised- Annode- Negative
Which half cell belongs on the RHS?
The one being reduced
What happens at the RHS?
- Reduced- Cathode- Positive
What conditions are half-cells combined at to form an electrochemical cell?
- 298K- 100 kPa
What is needed to complete an electrochemical cell?
A salt bridge
What does a salt bridge do?
Completes the circuit
What is the REDOX power of a half-cell?
Relative
What is the REDOX potential of all the half-cells measured against?
The standard hydrogen electrode
How do you calculate the electrode potential?
Connect a standard hydrogen electrode to another half cell and the potential difference is the other half cells electrode potential
In the standard hydrogen electrode what is the electrode made of?
Platinum
Why is the standard hydrogen electrode made of platinum?
Platinum is unreactive and porus and allows for easy electron transfer
What is the electrode potential of the standard hydrogen electrode?
0.00v
Why is the electrode potential of the standard hydrogen electrode 0?
Because it is compared to itself