Gen Chem Exam 4 Flashcards
What is the oxidation state of each oxygen in O2?
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What is the oxidation state of each fluorine in F2?
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What is the oxidation state of each oxygen in O3?
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What is the oxidation state of each hydrogen in H2?
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What is the oxidation state of Fe3+ ?
It’s 3+, silly. :-)
What is the oxidation state of oxygen when it is in a compound with any other element?
Oxygen is always -2 oxidation state when it is bonded to a different element.
(peroxides are an exception to this rule, but I won’t ask you about them)
What is the oxidation state of hydrogen when it is in a compound with any other element?
Hydrogen is always +1 oxidation state when it is bonded to a different element.
(hydrides like NaH are an exception to this rule, but I won’t ask you about htem)
What is the oxidation state of fluorine when it is in a compound with any other element?
Fluorine is always -1 oxidation state when it is bonded to a different element.
How do you figure out the oxidation state of an atom which is not covered by any of the other rules?
The total charge of the whole compound is equal to the oxidation states of all the atoms inside it summed up. So if you are only missing the oxidation state of one atom, set up an equation to figure it out.
If you are missing multiple atoms, then you have to make a guess based on what column it is in on the periodic table.
What are the steps in order to balance a DIFFICULT electrochemistry (redox) reaction using the HALF REACTION METHOD?
1.) Split up the reaction into one where atoms are being oxidized and the other where atoms are being reduced.
2.) Balance atoms that are not oxygen or hydrogen by adding coefficients
3.) Balance oxygens with water.
4.) Balance hydrogens with H+
5.) Balance charges with electrons
6.) Recombine the two reactions in such a way that the electrons perfectly cancel out. You may need to multiply the individual reactions by something to make this happen.
7.) Simplify, and then you are done if it is in acidic or neutral solution.
8.) If it is in basic solution, add OH- to BOTH sides. The amount of OH- you need to add to each side is the same as the H+ on one side.
9.) On the side that has OH- and H+, combine those to make water. Simplify all waters, and then you are done with it in a basic solution.
10.) CHECK YOUR WORK BY COUNTING THE ATOMS AND CHARGES.
What are the steps to writing an EASY electrochemistry reaction
(e.g. in a problem where I’m about to ask you to solve for a voltage.)
1.) Write 2 half reactions where nothing is happening. Each atom turns into itself.
2.) Figure out which side to put electrons on. The anode reaction should have electrons as products, and the cathode should have them as reactants.
3.) Put the higher atom charges on the sides with electrons.
4.) Change the number of electrons in each reaction so that within a given reaction the charges balance.
5.) Combine the two half reactions into one, in such a way that the electrons perfectly match. You may need to multiply some half reactions by a constant for this to happen.
How do you solve for E-standard with a table of standard reduction potentials
1.) Pick the two rows on the table that have the right atoms and atom charges in them.
2.) Flip the sign of the voltage of the half reaction that is going to be the anode.
3.) Sum up that revised voltage with the other voltage.
How do you calculate the voltage of an electrochemical cell?
1.) Write a balanced reaction.
2.) Solve for E-standard with a table of data.
3.) Calculate Q using Products / Reactants, ignoring solids, and including exponents when needed.
4.) Use the Nernst equation
One side of the electrochemical cell is an anode, and the other is the cathode. Which way do electrons flow?
Electrons always flow from anode to cathode.
What does oxidation mean?
Oxidation is loss of electrons. It means the atom’s charge is going UP.
What does reduction mean?
Reduction is gain of electrons. It means the atom’s charge is going DOWN.
Where does oxidation happen? The anode or the cathode?
The anode.
Where does reduction happen? The anode or the cathode?
The cathode.