KEMENTERIAN

PENDIDIKAN
MALAYSIA
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Pendidikan Teknik, Negeri Sembilan

JABATAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN

Nama Pelajar PREMITHAMALAR A/P GENGAGARAN

Angka Giliran 2018162340128

No Kad Pengenalan 990905075214

Kumpulan/Unit 8PISMP SAINS

Kod & Nama Kursus SCES3163 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Nama Pensyarah EN. MOHD NIZAM BIN HAJI IJOM

Tarikh Hantar 22 MAC 2022

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Tanda tangan Pelajar: Tarikh:

Markah:
Title : Electromotive force of electrochemical cell
Aim: To investigate the effect of concentration on electromotive force (e.m.f) of the
cell.

Introduction:

An electrochemical cell that consists of two half-cells connected externally by connecting

wire and internally by a salt bridge is known as a galvanic cell or a voltaic cell. In the zinc-
copper electrochemical cell, the zinc metal is immersed in zinc nitrate solution while copper
metal is immersed in copper (II) nitrate solution. The two metals are connected by a
connecting wire. The two solutions are connected by a salt bridge. In this cell, the zinc metal
is the anode as oxidation takes place, in which Zn is oxidized to Zn 2+ ions by releasing
electrons. The electrons generated make the anode negatively charged.

Zn → Zn2+ + 2e

Copper metal is the cathode as reduction takes place in which Cu 2+ ions are reduced
to Cu by accepting electrons. The cathode is positively charged as it attracts electrons from
the external circuit.

Cu2+ + 2e → Cu

o
Hence, the cell produces the potential difference. The standard cell potential, Ecell of
the electrochemical cell is calculated using the standard electrode potential of the two half-
o
cells. Based on OpenStax (2016), standard cell potential, Ecell of the electrochemical cell is
the overall electrode potential of the oxidation reaction and the reduction reaction when the
concentration of ions in solution is 1.0 mol dm -3, a temperature of 25oC (298K) and the
pressure of all gases at 1 atm. The standard electrode potential, Eo of an element M is
defined as the potential difference measured between an electrode of metal M in contact
with its ion solution Mn+ of 1.0 mol dm-3 and the standard hydrogen electrode. The standard
electrode potential for Zinc electrode and Copper electrode are -0.76V and +0.34V. Then,
o
the Ecell can be calculated using the formula below:

Eocell =Eocathode −E oanode

o
The standard cell potential, Ecell is the electromotive force (e.m.f) or the voltage of the
cell. Referring to Brown (2014), the e.m.f of a cell is the maximum potential difference
between two electrodes of a cell. It can also be defined as the net voltage between the
oxidation and reduction half-reactions. Based on Tan. et al (2016), the e.m.f, Ecell for a non-
standard cell potential can be obtained using the Nernst equation as below:

x
oRT [ reactant ions ]
Ecell =E − ln
cell
nF [ product ions ] y

where Ecell = cell potential under non-standard conditions

o
Ecell = standard cell potential
R = gas constant (8.31J K-1 mol-1)
T = temperature in Kelvin
n = number of moles of electrons involved
F = Faraday constant (96 500 C mol-1)
[] = concentration of aqueous ions in mol dm-3
x and y= stoichiometric coefficients of aqueous ions

This equation is customarily expressed in terms of the base-10 algorithm:

x
o 2.303 RT [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log
nF [ reduced species ]
y

At T= 298K, the quantity 2.303 RT/ F equals 0.0592, with units of volts and so the Nernst
equation simplifies to

x
o 0.0592V [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log
n [ reduced species ]
y

According to Tan. et al (2016), the concentration of the aqueous solution, in other words the
concentration of ions affects the Ecell .

Hypothesis: The higher the concentration of ions, the lower the electromotive force of the
cell.
Materials: EC1 (1.0 mol dm-3 aqueous copper (II) nitrate, Cu(NO 3)2), EC2 (2.0 mol dm-3
aqueous zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2), EC3 (1.0 mol dm-3 aqueous zinc nitrate,
Zn(NO3)2), EC4 (0.1 mol dm-3 aqueous zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2), EC5 (0.01 mol
dm-3 aqueous zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2), EC6 (0.001 mol dm-3 aqueous zinc
nitrate, Zn(NO3)2) and concentrated potassium iodide solution.
Apparatus: 5 stripes of (20 cm x 1 cm) filter papers, zinc plates, copper plates,
galvanometer, connecting wire with crocodile clips, 50ml measuring cylinder,
 100 ml beaker, sandpaper, washing bottle with water, D size battery and
potentiometer.
Procedure:

1. 50 cm3 of EC1 and EC2 are measured and poured into beaker A dan beaker B.
2. A stripe of filter paper is soaked in concentrated potassium iodide solution. Then, both
end of the filter paper is immersed in beaker A dan beaker B to build a salt bridge.
3. A copper plate and a zinc plate are cleaned using sandpapers and distilled water and
then dried.
4. The copper plate is clipped using a crocodile clip and connected to the end of the
potentiometer that is connected to the positive terminal of the 2V accumulator.
5. The zinc plate is connected to the galvanometer and a jockey.
6. The negative terminal of the accumulator is connected to another end of the
potentiometer.
7. Two metal plates are immersed. Jockey is moved on the wire of the potentiometer after
1 minute until the galvanometer shows zero. The length is measured and recorded as
x cm as in Diagram 1.0.
8. Step 1 to 7 is repeated by replacing EC2 with EC3, EC4, EC5 and EC6 in beaker B.
9. A new strip of paper is used for each solution in beaker B.

Ecell are calculated using the formula below:

x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire

Accumulator, 2V
Potentiometer

Jockey
Copper Zinc
Copper (II)
Zinc nitrate
nitrate solution Salt solution
bridge

Diagram 1.0
Result:

Length of wire [Zn2+]

Experiment Beaker A Beaker B Ecell (V)
x (cm) (mol dm-3)

1 50 cm3 EC1 50 cm3 EC2 78.0 1.56 2.0

2 50 cm3 EC1 50 cm3 EC3 79.5 1.59 1.0
3 50 cm3 EC1 50 cm3 EC4 80.0 1.60 0.1
4 50 cm3 EC1 50 cm3 EC5 81.5 1.63 0.01
5 50 cm3 EC1 50 cm3 EC6 83.0 1.66 0.001

Calculation of Ecell using Nernst equation.

Experiment 1: Reaction between EC1 and EC2
Experimental value:
x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire
78.0 cm
¿ × 2V
100 cm

¿ 1.56 V
Theoretical value:
o o o
Ecell =Ec athode −Eanode Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
Eocell =0.34 V −(−0.76 V ) n=2
¿ 1.10 V
x
o 0.0592V [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log
n [ reduced species ]
y

0.0592V
Ecell =1.10 V − log ¿ ¿ ¿
2
0.0592V [ 2.0 ]
¿ 1.10 V − log
2 [ 1.0 ]
¿ 1.0 9 V
Experiment 2: Reaction between EC1 and EC3
x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire
79.5 cm
¿ × 2V
100 cm

¿ 1.59 V
Theoretical value:
Eocell =Eocathode −E oanode Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
o Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
Ecell =0.34 V −(−0.76 V ) n=2
¿ 1.10 V
x
0.0592V [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =Eo − log
n [ reduced species ]
y

0.0592V
Ecell =1.10 V − log ¿ ¿ ¿
2
0.0592V [ 1 .0 ]
¿ 1.10 V − log
2 [ 1.0 ]
¿ 1.10 V

Experiment 3: Reaction between EC1 and EC4

x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire
80 cm
¿ × 2V
100 cm

¿ 1.6 V
Theoretical value:
o o o
Ecell =Ecathode −E anode Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
o Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
Ecell =0.34 V −(−0.76 V ) n=2
¿ 1.10 V
 x
0.0592V
o [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log y
n [ reduced species ]

0.0592V
Ecell =1.10 V − log ¿ ¿ ¿
2
0.0592V [0 . 1 ]
¿ 1.10 V − log
2 [ 1.0 ]
¿ 1.1 3V

Experiment 4: Reaction between EC1 and EC5

x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire

81.5 cm
¿ ×2 V
100 cm

¿ 1.63 V
Theoretical value:
o o o
Ecell =Ecathode −E anode Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
Eocell =0.34 V −(−0.76 V ) n=2
¿ 1.10 V
x
0.0592V
o [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log
n [ reduced species ]
y

0.0592V
Ecell =1.10 V − log ¿ ¿ ¿
2
0.0592V [ 0. 0 1 ]
¿ 1.10 V − log
2 [ 1.0 ]
¿ 1.1 6 V

Experiment 5: Reaction between EC1 and EC6

x
Ecell = ×2 V
length of potentiometer wire
83.0 cm
¿ ×2 V
100 cm
¿ 1.66 V
Theoretical value:
o o o
Ecell =Ecathode −E anode Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
n=2
 o
Ecell =0.34 V −(−0.76 V )
¿ 1.10 V
x
0.0592V
o [ oxidised species ]
Ecell =E − log
n [ reduced species ]
y

0.0592V
Ecell =1.10 V − log ¿ ¿ ¿
2
0.0592V [ 0. 001 ]
¿ 1.10 V − log
2 [ 1.0 ]
¿ 1.1 9V

Discussion:

Based on Boulabiar (2004), the main function of a salt bridge is to help maintain electrical
neutrality within the internal circuit. It also helps in preventing the cell from taking its reaction
to equilibrium. If salt bridges are absent or if they are not used then the reaction will likely
continue and the solution in one-half electrodes will gather a negative charge. Similarly, in
the other half, electrodes would accumulate a positive charge. This will further result in the
stoppage of the reaction and no electricity will be produced. Therefore, a salt bridge helps in
preventing the accumulation of positive and negative charges around the respective
electrodes and further allowing a smooth reaction to take place. It also helps in the continual
flow of electrons. However, the purpose of a salt bridge is not to move electrons from the
electrolyte; rather it’s to maintain charge balance because the electrons are moving from
one-half cell to the other. Salt bridge prevents the diffusion or mechanical flow of solution
from one-half cell to another. It prevents or minimizes the liquid-liquid junction potential, the
potential arises between two solutions when they are in contact with each other. The salt
bridge acts as an electrical contact between two half cells.

Referring to

Atkins & De Paula (2012), the positive and negative terminals of the cell are identified by
referring to the electrochemical series. Electrochemical series is a list that describes the
arrangement of elements in order of their increasing electrode potential values. In this
galvanic cell, the metal which is higher in electrochemical series will become the negative
terminal, while the metal which is lower in electrochemical series will become the positive
terminal. Referring to the electrochemical series, the position of zinc in the electrochemical
series is higher than copper. Hence, zinc is the negative terminal and copper is the positive
terminal.
 Cathode (positive terminal) Anode (negative terminal)
Cu2+ + 2e → Cu Zn → Zn2+ + 2e
Diagram 2.0

Questions:

1. Plot a graph of Ecell against log [Zn2+] for beaker B and explain the relationship between
e.m.f of cell with Zn2+ concentration.

+ -
 A graph of Ecell against log [Zn2+]

1.2

1.18

1.16

1.14
Ecell (v)

1.12

1.1

1.08

1.06

1.04
-3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5

log [Zn2+]

Referring to Tan. et al (2016) , the relationship between the electromotive force of the cell
with Zn2+ ions concentration is linear with negative correlation. This is due to as the
concentration of ions increases, the electromotive force of the cell decreases. Initially, when
log [Zn2+] is less than 0, the electromotive force of the cell is greater than the standard
electromotive force of the cell. As the reaction progresses, the electromotive force of the cell
decreases with log [Zn2+]. If neither of the electrodes dissolves completely, thereby breaking
the electrical circuit, the cell voltage will eventually reach zero. At this point, the system will
have reached equilibrium.

2. Suggest steps to obtain more accurate results.

According to Poh (2007), the observer’s eye must be perpendicular to the scale mark of the
potentiometer when measuring the length of wire (x). This step is important to avoid parallax
errors. Other than that, must ensure that the galvanometer is in good condition, where the
pointer of the ammeter is placed on zero when no current flow through it. This step is
important to avoid zero error. Through these steps, the accurate value for the electromotive
force of the cell can be obtained.

Conclusion:
The higher the concentration of the ions, the lower the electromotive force of the cell. Hence,
the hypothesis is accepted.

References
Atkins, P. & De Paula, J. (2012). Elements of Physical Chemistry. Oxford, UK: Oxford
University Press.

Brown, T. L., Lemay, H.E. & Bursten, B. E. (2014). Chemistry: The central science (13th ed).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Boulabiar, A., Bouraoui, K., Chastrette, M., & Abderrabba, M. (2004). A historical analysis of
the Daniell cell and electrochemistry teaching in French and Tunisian
textbooks. Journal of Chemical Education, 81(5), 754.
Poh, L. Y. (2007). Longman Effective Guide to O Level Physics. First Lok Yang Road:
Pearson
Education South Asia.

Tan, Y. T., Lim, M. H., Loh, W. L. & Ho, S. C. (2016). Chemistry Ace Ahead STPM Text
Second
Term Third Edition. Selangor Darul Ehsan: Oxford Fajar.

OpenStax. (2016). Chemistry. Opentextbc.

https://opentextbc.ca/chemistry/