w6 Flashcards
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Characteristics
- Occurs simultaneously when electrons are transferred from one species to another
The reactant species that gains electrons is said to be reduced.
* That which loses electrons is oxidized.
* The species from which electrons are taken is oxidized (and is the reducing agent).
* The species that takes the electrons is reduced
(and is the oxidizing agent).
Oxidation States
a measure of the degree of oxidation of an element in a compound compared with when it is uncombined
Oxidation
accompanied by an increase in the oxidation state of an element.
ANODE
Reduction
accompanied by a decrease in the oxidation state of an element.
CATHODE
GUIDELINES to Redox reactions
- The oxidation state of each atom in a pure element is zero.
- For a simple, monatomic ion, the oxidation state is equal to the charge on the ion.
- The algebraic sum of oxidation states in an ion is equal to the ionic charge. In a molecule, the sum is zero.
- In all of its compounds and ions, fluorine is in oxidation state -1.
- In most compounds and ions, hydrogen is in oxidation state +1.
- In most compounds, O is in oxidation state -2.
Like oxygen, the halogens (F2, Cl2, Br2, I2) are always oxidizing agents in their reactions with metals and non-metals.
Electrochemistry
a field of study about the interaction between electricity and chemistry.
Voltaic cells (or galvanic cells)
direct the transfer of electrons in a spontaneous redox reaction from one compartment of the cell, through a conductor, to another compartment.
Electrolysis cells (or electrolytic cells)
in which the application of an electrical potential forces a non-spontaneous redox reaction to occur. This forced non-spontaneous process is called electrolysis
Voltaic Cells
Contains anode, cathode, salt bridge, voltmeter and stuff idk
- The electrons transferred during a spontaneous reaction are harnessed as an electrical current—electrons move from the anode, the site of oxidation, through the external circuit to the cathode, the site of reduction.
- Charge balance in each half-cell is achieved by migration of ions through the salt bridge (internal circuit). Anions move toward the anode, and cations move toward the cathode.
Inert electrodes
made of conducting materials that are too unreactive to be oxidized or reduced.
Cell EMF
a measure of the difference between the abilities of species in the half-cells to compete for electrons.
Standard Conditions
– Solutes in aqueous solution have a conc of 1.0 mol L-1
– Gaseous substances have a pressure of 1.0 bar.
– Solids and liquids (not solutions) are pure.
Standard Reduction Potentials
Different combinations of half cells will give rise to a different cell EMF.
The EMF is the difference between the two electrode potentials.
E(cell) = E(cathode) – E(anode)
E(cathode) and E(anode) are half-cell reduction potentials orelectrode potentials (Ehalf-cell)
Potential ladder for reduction half-reactions
The higher ranked the half equation is, the more powerful an oxidizing agent the species is.
At bottom: stronger reducing agents
The tendency for the rxn to occur as a reduction (as written) DECREASES down the table.
For any cell:
* The ½ reaction that occurs highest up the table is written in the FORWARD direction (as is).
* The one that is lower goes in the REVERSE direction. It is the oxidation reaction.
Primary batteries: Alkaline cell
Cannot be recharged
Anode (-):
Zn(s) + 2OH- (aq) → ZnO(s) + H2O + 2e
Cathode (+): 2MnO2(s) + H2O + 2e- → Mn2O3(s) + 2OH- (aq)
Advantages:
No gas buildup, more suitable for high drain applications. last ~50% longer than older lead acid batteries
secondary batteries: Lead Storage Battery
Reactions can be reversed (rechargable)
PbO2(s) + Pb(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) -> 2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
6 cells each generating 2.04 V = 12 V output
The reactants Pb and PbO2 are electrodes:
- as both are solids no need to separate into
different half cells - because both are solids have no effect on rxn quotient (Q)
- Thus the EMF is constant during discharge.
Voltaic Cells under Nonstandard Conditions
Dependence of Cell emf on Concentrations
* When the species in a voltaic cell are not in their standard states, cell emf can be calculated using the Nernst equation:
E (cell) = E (nought cell) - (RT/nF) lnQ
= E (nought cell) - (0.0257V/n) lnQ at 25 degrees
- R is the gas constant (8.3144 J K mol-1);
- T is the temperature (K);
- n is the moles of electrons transferred
- F is the Faraday constant (9.6485338 x 10¹ C mol-1)
- Q is the reaction quotient
pH Meters and Ion-Selective Electrodes: Nerst equation
used to determine an unknown concentration by using a measured cell potential, using a pH meter.
- The electrodes used to measure ion conc are known as ion-selective electrodes.