Topic 14 - Redox II Flashcards
What happens to an element’s oxidation number when it is oxidised?
It increases.
Do s-block elements react by gaining or losing electrons?
Losing them
Do p-block elements react by gaining or losing electrons?
- Metals -> Losing electrons
* Non-metals -> Gaining electrons
Do d-block elements react by gaining or losing electrons?
It varies, by but they tend to form positive ions with positive oxidation numbers.
Describe the structure of a basic electrochemical cell.
- Anode and cathode
- Each electrode is dipped in a solution of its own ions
- Salt bridge between solutions
- External circuit connecting electrodes, with voltmeter
In an electrochemical cell, what is the salt bridge made of?
Filter paper soaked in a salt solution
What are the two processes in an electrochemical cell?
- Oxidation
* Reduction
In an electrochemical cell, which electrode does oxidation always happen at?
Anode
Remember: A + O are vowels!
In an electrochemical cell, explain which metal becomes the anode and which becomes the cathode? Where do oxidation and reduction occur?
MORE REACTIVE METAL:
• Forms ions more readily, so it loses electrons electrons more easily
• This is oxidation
• So this is the anode (relatively positive)
LESS REACTIVE METAL:
• Forms ions less readily, so it instead accepts electrons and ions from the solution, reforming the metal
• This is reduction
• So this is the cathode (relatively negative)
Which is the relatively positive and negative electrode?
- Relatively positive -> Anode
* Relatively negative -> Cathode
In an electrochemical cell, which electrode does reduction always happen at?
Cathode
Do reactive or unreactive metals form ions more readily?
Reactive
In an electrochemical cell, which direction do electrons flow in?
From the more reactive metal to the less reactive metal.
What is the symbol for cell potential?
E(cell)
What is cell potential?
The difference between the two half-cells in an electrochemical cell.
Do half-cells have to involve a metal and solution of metal ions?
No, they can also involve:
• A solution of two different aqueous ions of the same element (in the same half-cell) with an inert electrode
• Gas with solution of its own ions and an inert electrode
Give an example of a half-cell with a solution of two aqueous ions of the same element. Describe the structure.
• Solution of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ • Platinum (or graphite) electrode • Oxidation or reduction (depending on whether the half-cell has the anode or cathode) occurs on the electrode surface Possible reactions: • Fe²⁺(aq) -> Fe³⁺(aq) + e⁻ • Fe³⁺(aq) + e⁻ -> Fe²⁺(aq)
When an inert electrode is required in an electrochemical cell, what elements tend to be used?
- Platinum
* Graphite
Given that zinc is more reactive than copper, explain what happens in the zinc/copper electrochemical cell. Include half-equations.
- Zinc loses electrons more easily, so it is oxidised to the ion, releasing electrons into the circuit
- Zn(s) -> Zn²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻
- Copper ions in the solution are reduced using electrons from the circuit, to form copper solid
- Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ -> Cu(s)
Describe how a half-cell can be set up with a gas.
- The gas is bubbles over a platinum/graphite catalyst sitting in a solution of its aqueous ions
- Oxidation or reduction occurs on the surface of the electrode
When drawing electrochemical cells, which half-cell is on the left?
The one where oxidation occurs (anode).
Are the reactions at each electrode reversible?
- Yes
* The direction each reaction goes in depends on how easily the metal loses electrons
Which way are half-reactions at each electrode in an electrochemical cell written?
The reduction reaction is the forward direction.
e.g. Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ -> Zn
Describe how you can set up an electrochemical cell involving two metals.
1) Get a strip of each of the metals you’re investigating. Clean the surfaces using emery paper (or sandpaper).
2) Clean any grease or oil from the electrodes using some propanone.
3) Place each electrode into a beaker with a solution containing ions of that metal. If any solution contains an oxidising agent that contains oxygen (e.g. MnO₄⁻), add acid too.
4) Create a salt bridge to link the two beaters together. Do this by soaking a piece of filter paper in salt solution.
5) Connect the electrodes to a voltmeter using crocodile clips and wires. There should be a voltmeter reading.
What things are used to clean the electrodes when preparing an electrochemical cell?
- Emery paper (or sandpaper) -> Cleans surface
* Propanone -> Cleans off any grease or oil
What solution could be used in a half-cell of copper metal?
CuSO₄ (for example)
What should you do if the solution in a half-cell contains an oxidising agent that contains oxygen (e.g. MnO₄⁻)?
Add acid too
Describe what a half-cell electrode potential essentially is.
How easily the substance in the half-cell is oxidised (i.e. loses electrons).
Why does a potential difference build up in a half-cell?
There is a difference between the charge of the electrode and the ions in the solution.
When there are two half-cell potentials, how can you tell which reaction goes forwards and which goes backwards?
- The half-reaction with the MORE positive electrode potential goes forward.
- The half-reaction with the MORE negative electrode potential goes backwards.
Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ -> Zn (-0.76V)
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ -> Cu (+0.34V)
Which reaction goes forwards and which goes backwards?
Write the ionic equation for the reaction.
- The zinc reaction is more negative -> It goes backwards
- The copper reaction is more positive -> It goes forwards
Cu²⁺(aq) + Zn(s) -> Cu(s) + Zn²⁺(aq)
What does the little ° next to the E show?
It is the STANDARD electrode potential.
Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ -> Zn (-0.76V)
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ -> Cu (+0.34V)
Which is oxidised and which is reduced?
- Oxidised -> Zinc
* Reduced -> Copper
What is the symbol for standard electrode potential?
E°
Define standard electrode potential.
The voltage measured under standard conditions when the half-cell is connected to a standard hydrogen electrode.
What are the standard conditions for a standard electrode potential?
- Solutions of the ions you’re interested in must have a concentration of 1.0 mol/dm³
- 298K
- 100kPa
Describe the structure of a standard hydrogen half-cell.
- Hydrogen is pumped into an upturned vessel in a 1.00 mol/dm³ H⁺ solution
- Platinum electrode is in the upturned vessel
- At 298K and 100kPa
When measuring standard electrode potential, what is the equation at the hydrogen electrode?
2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ -> H₂(g)
OR
H₂(g) -> 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻
In a setup to calculate the standard electrode potential for a half-cell, is the hydrogen half-cell where oxidation or reduction happens?
It can be either.
When drawing out the setup to calculate the standard electrode potential for a half-cell, where is the hydrogen half-cell drawn?
On the left (regardless of whether it is reduced or oxidised).
Describe how a standard hydrogen half-cell can be used to work out the half-cell electrode potential of an different half-cell.
- Other half-cell is connected on the right of the hydrogen half-cell in order to make a full cell
- The voltage reading is the half-cell potential of the other half-cell
What is the electrode potential of a standard hydrogen electrode?
0.00V
What is the symbol for the cell potential of an electrochemical cell?
E°(cell) = E°(red) - E°(oxid)
What can be said about the value of E°(cell) for a working electrochemical cell and why?
- It is always positive
* Because the more negative E° value is being subtracted from the more positive E° value
Calculate the cell potential of a magnesium-bromine electrochemical cell:
Br₂ + Mg -> Mg²⁺ + 2Br⁻
Mg²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ -> Mg(s) E° = -2.37V
1/2Br₂(aq) + e⁻ -> Br⁻(aq) E° = +1.09V
- E°(cell) = E°(red) - E°(oxid)
* E°(cell) = +1.09 - (-2.37) = +3.46V
When doing E°(cell) calculations, do you have to account for the number of electrons transferred at each electrode?
No, just use the E° values.
Why are electrode potentials quoted under standard conditions?
The temperature, pressure and concentration may affect the equilibrium position, which affects the cell potential.
What is the name for the shorthand method of drawing electrochemical cells?
Conventional representation
What are the rules for drawing an electrochemical cell in shorthand?
Half-cell with more negative potential goes on the left:
• Far left -> Reduced form (usually the uncharged metal)
• Dashed line
• Middle left -> Oxidised form (usually the charged ion)
Double vertical dashed lines show the salt bridge linking to the half-cell with the more positive potential:
• Middle right -> Oxidised form (usually the charged ion)
• Dashed line
• Far right -> Reduced form (usually the uncharged metal)
- Commas separate species that are in the same half-cell and the same physical state
- If there is a standard hydrogen half-cell, it should be on the left
- Show inert electrodes on the outside of the diagram (separated by a dashed line)
What do the double vertical dashed lines show on an electrochemical cell shorthand diagram?
Salt bridge
What do the single vertical dashed lines show on an electrochemical cell shorthand diagram?
The show the boundary between species in different physical states.
How are species in the same half-cell and in the same physical state separated in an electrochemical cell shorthand diagram?
Commas
How are inert electrodes shown on an electrochemical cell shorthand diagram?
They are on the outside of the diagram, separated by a vertical dashed line.
Draw the conventional representation of the electrochemical cell formed between magnesium and the standard hydrogen half-cell.
Pt | H₂(g) | 2H⁺(aq) || Mg²⁺(aq) | Mg(s)
With a half-cell on the left of a standard electrochemical diagram, what can be assumed?
- It is the anode
- So oxidation happens there -> Electrons are lost
- So the half-cell electrode potential must be more negative (than the other half-cell), since the half-cell equations are written with reduction in the forward direction
Anode, Oxidation, Negative E°
How does a metal’s reactivity affect how easily it forms ions?
The most reactive it is, the more easily it loses electrons to form a positive ion.
How does a non-metal’s reactivity affect how easily it gains electrons?
The more reactive it is, the more easily it gains electrons to form a negative ion.
What is an electrochemical series show?
How reactive metals and non-metals are based on their standard electrode potentials.
Describe how you can tell how reactive an element is from it’s standard electrode potential.
- See if it is a metal or non-metal
- If it is a metal -> The more negative the standard electrode potential, the more reactive it is
- If it is a non-metal -> The more positive the standard electrode potential, the more reactive it is
How can you work out the feasibility of a reaction of a metal with the aqueous ions of another metal using electrode potentials?
1) Write the equation as the half-equations
2) Look at the standard electrode potential of each half-equation (in the normal reduction direction)
3) E°(cell) = E°(red) - E°(oxid)
4) If this gives a positive value, the reaction is feasible