Topic 14 - Redox II Flashcards
What is the definition of a primary standard?
Chemicals weighed out and made to a standard solution. They react exactly and rapidly as described by their chemical equation.
What are the three characteristics of a primary standard?
- They must be very pure
- They cannot lose or gain mass when exposed to air
- They will usually have high molar masses so that weighing errors can be minimised
What is potassium manganate (when talking in terms of redox)?
oxidising agent (it is reduced)
What is the half equation for when potassium manganate acts as an oxidising agent under acidic conditions?
MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ -> Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O (l)
Why do you not need to add indicator when completing a potassium manganate titration?
As potassium manganate (VII) is self indicating
What is the disadvantage to doing a potassium manganate titration (colour)?
Due to the strong purple colour of the MnO4- ions it is difficult to read the burette when performing the titration
What is the colour change as the MnO4- ions in potassium manganate are reduced to Mn2+?
purple/pink to colourless
What is the primary standard in potassium manganate?
MnO4- ions
What is the definition of a standard solution?
A solution that has been prepared from a primary standard that you know the exact concentration of
What does a potassium manganate titration measure?
A reducing agent
What does a Iodine/ thiosulphate titration measure?
An oxidising agent
How is a standard solution prepared in an Iodone/thiosulphate titration?
- Excess KI is added to the oxidising agent. All the oxidising reagent reacts forming a brown solution of iodine.
- The iodine produced is titrated with sodium thiosulphate which oxidises it back to colourless iodide ions.
What does the overall ratio between thiosulphate ions and oxidising agent depend on in Iodine/thiosulphate titrations?
The reacting ratio of the iodide and the oxidising agent
What is the indicator used in Iodine/thiosulphate titrations?
starch
At what point is the starch indicator added in an Iodine/thiosulphate titration?
When the brown solution -> pale yellow solution
What is the colour change in an Iodine/thiosulphate titration?
brown -> colourless
NB - we add starch as it is a blue/black colour making it easier to observe the point at which the solution is colourless
What species is the reducing agent in an Iodine/thiosulphate titration?
S2O3(2-)
What is the equation for the titration of Iodine against thiosulphate ions?
2S2O3 (2-)(aq) + I2 (aq) -> 2I- (aq) + S4O6 (2-)
What are metal displacement reactions more accurately known as?
metal/metal ion redox reactions
What type of reactions are metal ion redox reactions?
equilibrium/reversible
Do metal atoms always act as reducing agents?
no - it depends what other reactant is present in the redox
Half equations of metal ions losing or gaining electrons should be treated as…?
equilibria
Write the half equation of Zinc
Zn(2+) (aq) + 2e- <=> Zn (s)
Do you have to do metal ion redox reactions in one beaker?
no
What is the definition of a half cell?
A metal strip placed in a solution of its own ions and left to reach equilibrium
What does 1M mean?
1 moldm^-3
What is used to show the equilibrium position of a metal ion half equation?
a +ve or -ve sign in front of the E (standard) value
What does a +ve sign in front of the E (standard) value of a half equation tell you?
That the forwards reaction is favoured
What does a ive sign in front of the E (standard) value of a half equation tell you?
That the backwards reaction is favoured
Describe what happens in a zinc half cell
Zn(2+) (aq) + 2e- <=> Zn (s) E = -0.76V
- The E value is negative meaning that metal zinc atoms show a tendency to form Zn2+ ions
- This LEAVES ELECTRONS ON THE METAL STRIP
- A dynamic equilibrium is set up lying to the LHS
- The liberated e- are delocalised across the metal strip giving it a -ve charge
- The solution is +ve as it contains Zn(2+) ions
Describe what happens in a copper half cell
Cu(2+) (aq) + 2e- <=> Cu (s) E = +0.34V
- The E value is positive meaning that Cu2+ ions show a tendency to be reduced, TAKING ELECTRONS FROM THE METAL STRIP and form Cu (s)
- A dynamic equilibrium is set up lying to the RHS
- The metal strip is +ve as Cu2+ ions have TAKEN ELECTRONS FROM IT
- The solution is negative as there is a deficit of Cu2+ ions
What is the symbol for electrode potential?
E (standard)
What is an electrode potential?
A potential set up in half cells between the metal strip and the solution due to the separation of positive and negative charges
What dies the size of the electrode potential depend on?
- The type of metal (whether it shows a tendency to lose or gain electrons)
- Concentration of the solution
What are electrode potentials measured under?
Standard conditions:
- 298K
- 101kPa
- 1 moldm^-3
What is an electrochemical cell?
A combination of half cells, one releasing electrons and other gaining electrons, in order to turn chemical energy into electrical energy
Describe the set up of a metal electrode in a solution of its ions half cell
RIGHT:
- Reduction favoured half cell (+ve metal strip)
LEFT
- Oxidation favoured half cell (-ve metal strip)
- Wires attached to the metal strips with a high resistance voltmeter in the centre
- A salt bridge between the 2 solution
What is the electrode in an electrochemical cell?
The metal strip
What does a salt bridge do in electrochemical cells?
Allows ions to flow between the solutions to complete the circuit, keeping the balance of positive and negative ions in each half cell without mixing them together
What is a salt bridge usually made out of in electrochemical cells
A piece of filter paper or agar gel soaked in POTASSIUM NITRATE (KNO3)
Why are salt bridges made out of the substances that they are made out of?
So that they do not react with either of the solutions in the half cells
If you placed a bulb in place of a voltmeter in an electrochemical cell, what would happen? Why?
The bulb would light up - There is a potential difference between the two electrodes, therefore, current would flow (chemical energy -> electrical energy)
What is the E cell value?
The maximum possible potential difference between the two half cells
How is the E (standard) cell value measured?
High resistance voltmeter - Allows no/zero current through, therefore, maximum potential difference can be measured