Unit 3.5.3 - Redox Equilibria Flashcards
What are the standard conditions in an electrochemical cell?
298K, solutions of concentration 1.00moldm-3, and a pressure of 100kPa
In a lead acid cell what do both electrodes end up being covered in?
Lead (II) sulphate
Do oxidation states increases or decreases as electrons are lost?
Increase
What does a reducing agent do and what happens to itself?
It reduces something to be reduced and is oxidised itself
If the position of equilibirum moves to the right, is the forward or backward reaction faster? And do the amount of reactants or produts increase?
Forward - products
What do half equations show?
Reduction or oxidation
What are the other oxidation states of oxygen and when does it have them?
-1 when bonded to peroxides +1 or +2 when bonded to fluorides
What happens to the electrode potential of the half cell if the position of equilibrium is shifted to the left in a oxidation reaction?
More products are formed, therefore there will be less electrons and so the electrode potential increases
What happens to the position of equilibrium is the concentration of the reactants is increased?
The system seeks to oppose the increase in concentraion of the reactants by getting rid of the extra reactants, favouring the forwward reaction, shifting the position of equilibrium to the right and so producing more products
What is the half equations for the reaction at the anode of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell?
H2(g) → 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻
What happens to the electrode potential of the half cell if the position of equilibrium is shifted to the left in a reduction reaction?
More products are formed, therefore there will be more electrons and so the electrode potential decreases
What is the oxidation states of an element (uncombined)?
0
What does oxidation state show you?
The total number of electrons it has donated or accepted
Whats the half equation for the reaction that occurs at the cathode in a lead - acid cell?
PbO₂(s) + SO₄²⁻ (aq)+ 4H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ ⇋ PbSO₄(s) + 2H₂O(l)
If a reaction has more moles on the right hand side what happens to the position of equilibrium is the pressure is decreased?
The system seeks to oppose the decrease in pressure by favouring the side with the most moles, favouring the forwards reaction, shifting the position of equilbirum to the right and producing more products
Whats the half equation for the reaction occurng at the cathode of a dry cell alkaline battery?
2MnO₂(s) + 2NH₄⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → Mn₂O₃(s) + 2NH₃(aq) + H₂O(l)
In an electrochemical cell diagram which direction to the electrons flow?
From the left to the right
Draw what a hydrogen - oxygen fuel cell looks like.
In a lead acid cell what forms the anode, cathode and electrolyte?
Anode - lead
Cathode - lead(IV) dioxide
Electrolyte - Sulphuric acid
Does the cell with the more negative electrode potential go on the right or left hand side or the electrochemical cell diagram?
Left
What is the oxidation state of hydrogen in a compound with metals?
-1
What is the purpose of the salt bridge between the two solutions in an electrochemical cell?
To allow ions to flow through it and balance out the charges which completes the circuit
What does the cell diagram look like for a hydrogen - oxygen fuel cell?
Pt(s) | H2(g) | H+(aq) || O2(g) |H+(aq) | H2O(l) | Pt(s)
If a reaction is exothermic what happens to the position of equilibrium if the temperature is decreased?
The system seeks to oppose the decrease in temperature by favouring the exothermic direction which is the forward reaction, shifting the position of equilibirum to the right and producing more products
What is a reducing agent in terms of electrons?
Electron donor
Why are standard conditions used in electrochemical cells?
So you get the same result each time and you can compare values for different cells
What are three cons of rechargebale batteries?
- ) More expensive to buy
- ) Last a shortert time than a rechargebale battery
- ) Contain more toxic materails compared to non rechargeables - lead and cadmium
If a reaction has more moles on the right hand side what happens to the position of equilibrium is the pressure is increased?
The system seeks to oppose the increase in pressure by favouring the side with the fewer moles, favouring the backwards reaction, shifting the position of equilbirum to the left and producing more reactants
Do more reactive metals have larger or smaller electrode potentials? And why?
Smaller because they want to lose electrons more easily and are more easily oxidised
In an electrochemical cell do electrons flow from the most to the least reactive metals or from the least to the most reactive metals? And why?
From the most to the least - more reactive metals give up electrons more easily
Which sides to oxidation and reduction occur on in a electrochemical cell diagram?
Left - oxidation
Right - reduction
Even though you can get the reactions to run in reverse in a dry cell alkaline battery why is it not practical (two reasons) ?
- ) The zinc anode forms the casing of the battery so becomes thinner as the zinc oxidises, this could make the battery leak or explode
- ) The ammonia ions would product hydrogen gas which would escape from the battery
What does E⦵cell show?
The voltage between the two half cells
Describe what happens in a zinc/copper cell in 3 steps.
- ) Zinc atoms are oxidised to form Zn2+ ions and release 2 eletroms
- ) The electrons flow from the zinc anode through the external circuit to the copper cathode
- ) Cu2+ ions accept two electrons and are reduced to form copper atoms
What does oxidation mean in terms of electrons?
Loss of electrons
What is the electrode potential of the standard hydrogen electrode?
0.00V by defintion
Is the copper electrode the cathode or anode in the zinc/copper cell?
Cathode
What are four pros of rechargebale batteries?
- ) Cheaper in the long run as you don’t have to replace the battery
- ) You can recharge and re use them
- ) They supply more power
- ) Less batteries end up in landfill, less waste
Where is an electrochemical cell a redox process?
Because oxidation occurs at one electrode and reduction happened at another
What are three cons of hydrogen - oxygen fuel cells?
- ) Energy is required to produce hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolysis of water
- ) Not carbon neutral - energy for electolysis of water comes from fossil fuels
- ) hydorgen is highly flammable so has to be stored and transported carefully
What does the electrochemical cell diagram for a dry cell alkaline battery look like?
Zn(s)| Zn²⁺(aq) || MnO₂(s), Mn₂O₃(s)