The University of Zambia

School of Natural Sciences

Chemistry Department
2020 ACADEMIC YEAR TERM 1
CHE1000/CHE1010
TUTORIAL SHEET 5: Marking Key May 2021
QUESRIONS: 11 AND 20 to be marked
Please follow the marking keys provided for tutorials, labs and Test. It has been observed that
some tutors and demonstrators are not following the marking keys looking at the marks
awarded to students. Please be guided accordingly

1. Using given standard reduction potentials, calculate the standard potential of a

copper−zinc cell:
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s) E°= +0.34 V
Zn2+(aq) + 2e- → Zn(s) E° = -0.76 V
Reverse the first half-rxion and its half-cell potential to obtain
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e−; −E° = 0.76 V
Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s); E° = 0.34 V
Obtain the cell potential by adding the half-cell potentials.
E°cell = E°Cu − E°Zn = 0.34 V + 0.76 V = 1.10 V
2. A silver oxide–zinc cell maintains a fairly constant voltage during discharge (1.60 V).
The button form of this cell is used in watches, hearing aids, and other electronic devices.
The half-reactions are:
Zn(s) + 2OH-(aq) → Zn(OH)2(s) + 2e-
Ag2O(s) + H2O(l) + 2e- → 2Ag(s) + 2OH(aq)
(a) Identify the anode and the cathode reactions.
The electrode half-reactions and the overall cell reaction are
Anode: Zn(s) + 2OH−(aq) → Zn(OH)2(s) + 2e−
Cathode: Ag2O(s) + H2O(l) + 2e− → 2Ag(s) + 2OH−(aq)
(b) What’s the overall reaction in this galvanic cell?
Overall: Zn(s) + Ag2O(s) + H2O(l) → Zn(OH)2(s) + 2Ag(s)

3. Write the cell notation for a galvanic cell with the following half-reactions .
(a) Ni(s) → Ni2+(aq) + 2e-
Pb2+(aq) + 2e- → Pb(s)
NB: refer to std reduction potentials Table:
 Because of its less negative E°, Pb2+ is reduced at the cathode and is written on the
right;
Ni(s) is oxidized at the anode and is written first, at the left, in the cell notation. The
notation is
Ni(s)|Ni2+(aq)||Pb2+(aq)|Pb(s).
(b) Galvanic cell constructed from a hydrogen electrode (cathode) in 1.0 M HCl and a
nickel electrode (anode) in 1.0 M NiSO4 solution. The electrodes are connected by a salt
bridge.
NB: refer to std reduction potentials Table:
Because of its less negative E°, H+ is reduced at the cathode and is written on the
right;
Ni(s) is oxidized at the anode and is written first, at the left, in the cell notation. The
notation is
Ni(s)|Ni2+(1 M)||H+(1 M)|H2(g)|Pt
4. Write the overall cell reaction and draw the fully labelled for the following galvanic cell:
Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) Ag+(aq) Ag(s)
The half rxns:
Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2e−
2Ag+(aq) + 2e− → 2Ag(s)
The overall cell rxn: Fe(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Fe2+(aq) + 2Ag(s)

5. A galvanic cell whose cell reaction is 2Fe3+(aq) + Zn(s) → 2Fe2+(aq) + Zn2+(aq) has a cell
potential of 0.72V. What is the maximum electrical work that can be obtained from this
cell per mole of iron(III) ion?
The half-cell rxns are: 2Fe3+(aq) + 2e− → 2Fe2+(aq)
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e−
n = 2, and the maximum work for the rxn is
wmax = −nFEcell = −2 x 96485 C x 0.72 V
= −1.38938.4 C·V = −138938.4 J = -138.9kJ
Because this is the work obtained by reduction of 2 mol of Fe3+, the work for 1 mol
is:
wmax = (−138938.4 J)/2 mol = −69469.2 J = −69.5 kJ/mol
6. Calculate the maximum work available from 50.0 g of aluminum in the following cell
when the cell potential is 1.15 V.
Al(s) |Al3+(aq) || H+(aq) | O2(g) |Pt.
Note that O2 is reduced to H2O.
The half-cell rxns are: 3O2(g) + 12H+ + 12e− → 6H2O(l)
4Al(s) → 4Al3+(aq) + 12e−
n = 12, so maximum work for the rxn as written is
wmax = −nFEcell = −(12)(96485 C)(1.15 V)
= −1,331,493 C·V = −1,331,493 J = -1,331.5 kJ
For 50.0 g of aluminium, the maximum work is:
50.0 g x 1 mol Al x -1,331,493 J = −616,889 J = −616.9 kJ
26.98g Al 4 mol Al
7. Using standard reduction electrode potentials, calculate standard free-energy change at
25°C for the following reaction:
3Cu(s) + 2NO3-(aq) + 8H+(aq) → 3Cu2+(aq) + 2NO(g) + 4H2O(l).
The half-cell reactions, the corresponding half-cell potentials, and their sums are
displayed below:
3Cu(s) → 3Cu2+(aq) + 6e- E° = -0.34V
2NO3-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 6e- → 2NO(g) + 4H2O(l) E° = 0.96V
The overall rxn
3Cu(s) + 2NO3-(aq) + 8H+(aq) → 3Cu2+(aq) + 2NO(g) + 4H2O(l) E° = 0.62V
Note that each half-rxn involves 6 e-s, hence n = 6. Therefore,
ΔG° = −nFE°cell = −6 x 96485 C x 0.62 V = −358,924.2 J = −358.9 kJ

8. Copper(I) ion can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent. Hence, it can react
with itself.
2Cu+(aq) → Cu(s) + Cu2+(aq).
Calculate the equilibrium constant at 25°C for this reaction, using appropriate values of
electrode potentials.
The half-rxns and standard electrode potentials are
Cu+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + e− −E° = −0.16 V
+ −
Cu (aq) + e → Cu(s) E° = 0.52 V
NB: At equilibrium: Ecell = 0, Q = K and ΔG = 0
Ecell = E°cell – 0.0591 log K
n
The standard cell potential for the cell is E°cell = 0.52 V − 0.16 V = 0.36 V,
n = 1.
Substitute into Nernst equation above:
0.36 V = 0.0591 log Kc
1
log Kc = 6.091
Kc = antilog (6.091) = 106.091 = 1.23 x 106
9. What is the maximum electrical work that can be obtained from 6.54 g of zinc metal that
reacts in a Daniel cell, whose cell potential is 1.10 V?
The overall cell reaction is
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
The half-rxns are: Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e−
Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s)
n = 2, and
The maximum work for the reaction as written is
wmax = −nFEcell = −2 x 96485 C x 1.10 V
= −212,267 V·C = −212,267 J = -212.3 kJ
For 6.54 g of zinc metal, the maximum work is:
6.54 g Zn x 1 mol Zn x -2.123 x 105 J
65.39g Zn 1 mol Zn
= −21,229 J = −21.3 kJ
10. Calculate the equilibrium constant (K) for the following reaction from standard electrode
potentials.
Fe(s) + Sn4+(aq) → Fe2+(aq) + Sn2+(aq)
The half-rxns and standard electrode potentials are
Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2e−; −E° = 0.41 V
4+ − 2+
Sn (aq) + 2e → Sn (s); E° = 0.15 V
The standard cell potential for the cell is
E°cell = 0.41 V + 0.15 V = 0.56 V
n = 2.
Substitute into Nernst equation:
NB: At equilibrium: Ecell = 0, Q = K and ΔG = 0
Ecell = E°cell – 0.0591 log K
n
0.56 V = 0.0591 log Kc
2
log Kc = 18.95
Kc = antilog (18.95) = 8.91 x 1018

11. Calculate the cell potential of a cell operating with the following reaction at 25°C, in
which [MnO4-] = 0.010 M, [Br-] = 0.010 M, [Mn2+] = 0.15M, and [H+] = 1.0 M.

2MnO4-(aq) + 10Br-(aq) + 16H+(aq) → 2Mn2+(aq) + 5Br2(l) + 8H2O(l)

The half-cell reactions, the corresponding half-cell potentials, and their sums are
displayed below:
10Br−(aq) → 5Br2(l) + 10e− −E° = −1.07 V
2MnO4−(aq) + 16H+(aq) + 10e− → 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l) E° = 1.49 V
The overall rxn
2MnO4−(aq) + 10Br−(aq) + 16H+(aq) →
2Mn2+(aq) + 5Br2(l) + 8H2O(l) E°cell = 0.42 V (1)
NB: n = 10; (1)
Q= [Mn2+]2 = (0.15)2 (2)
2- 2 10 + 16 2 10 16
[MnO4 ] [Br-] [H ] (0.010) (0.010) (1.0)
= 2.25 x 1022 (1)
The standard cell potential is 0.42 V, so the Nernst equation becomes
Ecell = E°cell − 0.0591 log Q (1)
n
= 0.42 − 0.0591 log (2.25 x 1022) = 0.42− (0.1321) (1)
10
= 0.2879 = 0.29 V (1)
12. What is the Nickel (II)-ion concentration in the electrochemical cell if the cell potential is
0.34 V at 25°C?
Zn(s) | Zn2+(1.00 M) || Ni2+(aq) | Ni(s)
Half-cell rxns with corresponding half-cell potentials (from table of std reduction
potentials):
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e− −E° = 0.76 V (reversed)
 Ni2+(aq) + 2e− → Ni(s) E° = −0.23 V
Cell rxn: Zn(s) + Ni2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Ni(s) E°cell = 0.53 V
n = 2, E°cell = 0.53 V, Ecell = 0.53,
So Nernst equation at 25°C:
Ecell = E°cell − 0.0591 log Q
n

0.34 V = 0.53 V − 0.0591 log Q

2
log Q = 2 x (0.53 − 0.34) = 6.4298
0.0591
Q = [Zn2+] = antilog (6.4298) = 106.4298 = 2.69 x 106
[Ni2+]
[Zn ] = 1.00 M, [Ni2+] = ?.
2+

1.00 M = 2.69 x 106

[Ni2+]
[Ni ] = 3.717 x 10−7 = 3.72 x 10−7 M
2+

13. You have 1.0 M solutions of Al(NO3)3 and AgNO3 along with Al and Ag electrodes to
construct a voltaic cell. The salt bridge contains a saturated solution of KCl. Complete the
diagram below by
a) Writing the symbols of the elements and ions in the appropriate areas (both
solutions and electrodes).
b) Identifying the anode and cathode.
c) Indicating the direction of electron flow through the external circuit.
d) Indicating the cell potential (assume standard conditions, with no current flowing).
The cell potential is determined as follows:
Al3+(aq) + 3e− → Al(s) E°red = −1.66 V
+ −
Ag (aq) + e → Ag(s) E°red = 0.80 V
E°cell = E°cathode − E°anode = 0.80 V − (−1.66 V) = 2.46 V
e) Writing the appropriate half-reaction under each of the containers.
f) Indicating the direction of ion flow in the salt bridge.
g) Identifying the species undergoing oxidation and reduction.
The species undergoing oxidation is Al(s), and the species undergoing
reduction is Ag+(aq).
h) Writing the balanced overall reaction for the cell.
The balanced overall reaction is:
Al(s) + 3Ag+(aq) → Al3+(aq) + 3Ag
14. The zinc–copper electrochemical cell shown below is running under standard conditions.

How would the intensity of light from the bulb change if you were to:
a) Dissolve some additional CuSO4(s) in the CuSO4 solution?
If more CuSO4(s) is dissolved in the CuSO4 solution, [Cu2+] would be greater
than 1, so Q < 1. The effect is to increase the intensity of light.
b) Dissolve some additional Zn(NO3)2(s) in the Zn(NO3)2 solution?
If more Zn(NO3)2(s) is dissolved in the Zn(NO3)2 solution, [Zn2+] would be
greater than 1, so Q > 1. The effect is to decrease the intensity of light.
c) Add H2O to the CuSO4 solution?
If H2O is added to the CuSO4 solution, [Cu2+] would be less than 1, so Q > 1.
The effect is to decrease the intensity of light.
d) Remove the salt bridge?
If the salt bridge is removed, the circuit would not be complete, and the cell
potential would be zero. No current would flow.
15. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fuel cells over conventional power plants in
producing electricity.

16. Galvanized iron is steel sheet that has been coated with zinc; “tin” cans are made of steel
sheet coated with tin. Discuss the functions of these coatings and the electrochemistry of
 the corrosion reactions that occur if an electrolyte contacts the scratched surface of a
galvanized iron sheet or a tin can.
A galvanized steel sheet is corrosion-free, not merely because zinc shields the iron as
paint would, but because zinc electrochemically prevents iron from being reduced.
Scratch a galvanized pail and the pail will not corrode; the zinc will be oxidized
instead. In principle the iron object does not even have to be covered completely for
protection to occur.
The zinc itself is relatively well protected because when some of it is oxidized, it
absorbs CO2 from the air and forms a tightly adhering zinc oxide-carbonate
coating.
A "tin can" is a different story. Tin has a higher reduction potential than iron, and
a greater tendency to remain reduced as the metal.
A tin can is tin-plated iron, and if the surface is scratched, the iron will oxidize
preferentially instead of the tin.
Nothing electrochemical is gained by plating the can with tin; it is only a super-tight
protective coating like paint. When the coating is breached, corrosion is rapid.

17. Explain why chlorine gas can be prepared by electrolyzing an aqueous solution of NaCl
but fluorine gas cannot be prepared by electrolyzing an aqueous solution of NaF.
The overvoltage of oxygen is not large enough to prevent its formation at the anode.
Applying the diagonal rule, we see that water is oxidized before fluoride ion.

The very positive standard reduction potential indicates that F - has essentially no
tendency to undergo oxidation. The oxidation potential of chloride ion is much
smaller (-1.36 V), and hence Cl2 (g) can be prepared by electrolyzing a solution of
NaCl.

18. Chromium plating is applied by electrolysis to objects suspended in a dichromate

solution, according to the following (unbalanced) half-reaction:

How long (in hours) would it take to apply a chromium plating 1.0 x10-2 mm thick to a
car bumper with a surface area of 0.25 m2 in an electrolytic cell carrying a current of 25.0
A? (The density of chromium is 7.19 g/cm3.)
Step 1: balancing the half-reaction.
+ ¿ (aq )→2 Cr (s )+ 7 H 2 O (l)¿
( aq ) +14 H ¿
Cr 2 O2−¿
7

Step 2: Calculating the quantity of chromium metal by calculating the volume and
converting this to mass using the given density
 Volume Cr = thickness x surface area
1 cm
volnCr=( 1.0 x 10 mm ) x
−2 2 −6 3
x 0.25 m =2.5 x 10 m
1000 mm

Converting cm3,

( 0.01 m ) =2.5 cm
3
( 2.5 x 10−6 m3 ) x 1 cm 3

Next, calculate the mass of Cr.

Mass = density x volume
3 7.19 g
mass Cr=2.5 cm x 3
=18 g Cr
1 cm

Step 3: find the number of moles of e-s required to electro-deposit 18 g Cr from

solution. The half reaction is:
+ ¿ (aq )→2 Cr (s )+ 7 H 2 O (l)¿
( aq ) +14 H ¿
Cr 2 O2−¿
7

Six moles of electrons are required to reduce 1 mol Cr metal. But we are
electrodepositing less than 1 mole of Cr(s). We need to complete the following
conversions;

g Cr → mol Cr → mol e-
−¿
1 mol Cr e −¿¿
? faradays=18 g Cr x x 6 mol =2.1 mol e ¿
52.0 g Cr 1 mol Cr

Step 4: determine how long it will take for 2.1 moles of electrons to flow through the
cell when the current is 25.0 C/s.
C
−¿ x 96500 ¿
−¿ 1s 1h
mol e x x =2.3 hrs ¿
25.0C 3600 s
time ( hr )=2.1 mol e

19. In an electrolysis experiment, a student passes the same quantity of electricity through
two electrolytic cells, one containing a silver salt and the other a gold salt. Over a certain
period of time, she finds that 2.64 g of Ag and 1.61 g of Au are deposited at the cathodes.
What is the oxidation state of gold in the gold salt?
The reduction of Ag+ to Ag metal is
−¿ → Ag ¿

Ag+¿ ( aq)+ e ¿

Mole of Ag deposited
m 2.64 g −2
mole Ag= = =2.45 x 10 mol Ag
Mr g
107.9
mol
 Moles Au deposited
m 1.61 g −3
mole Au= = =8.17 x 10 mol Au
Mr g
197.0
mol

Let the oxidation state of Au be Aun+. The ratio of Ag+ reduced compared to
Aun+ reduced is thus
−2
2.45 x 10 mol Ag
−3
=3
8.17 x 10 mol Au

Therefore, the same number of electrons that reduced the Ag + ions to Ag

reduced only one-third the number of moles of the Aun+ ions to Au. Hence
each Aun+ required 3 e-s per ion for every 1 e- for Ag+. The oxidation state for
the Au ion is +3.

20. Due to COVID-19 coupled with erratic power supply from ZESCO, you decide to play
around with galvanic cells and you construct a zinc–copper battery operating at a zero
resistant small light emitting diode (L.E.D) at 25OC as follows:
Zn | Zn2+(0.10 M) || Cu2+ (2.5 M) | Cu
The mass of each solid electrode is 2.00 g.
a) Which of the two is a reducing agent?
Cu2+ is the reducing agent (1)
because the half reaction reduction potential is more positive
Note: If student just states that Cu is the reducing agent, award a maximum of 1
mark

b) Calculate the cell potential when this battery is first connected.

Eocell = Eored - Eoox
Eocell = +0.3419 – (-0.7618)
=+0.3419+0.7618
=+1.10V (1)

or student should reverse the zinc oxidation half reaction

Cu2+ + 2e- Cu Eo = +0.3419 V

Zn  Zn2+ +2e- Eo = +0.7618 V add these two
Cu2+ + Zn  Cu +Zn2+ o
E cell 0.3419+0.7618
Eocell +1.10 V (1)
 o 0.0591
Ecell =Ecell − log ¿ ¿ (0.5)
n
0.0591 [ 0.1 ]
Ecell =+110 V − log (0.5)
2 [ 2.5 ]

0.0591 [ 0.1 ]
Ecell =+110 V − log =+110 V +(0.041 V )
2 [ 2.5 ]

Ecell =1.14 V (1)

c) Calculate the cell potential after 10.0 A of current has flowed for 10.0 hours.
q = I x t or coulombs = amperes (coulombs/second) x time (seconds)

q= 10 A (C/s) x 10 hr x 60min/hr x 60 sec/min =360,000 coulombs (0.5)

1 mol Cu deposited = 2 mol e

1 mol Cu deposited = 2 x 96485 C
x mol Cu = 360,000 C

360000
x= =1.87 mol (0.5)
2× 96485

[Cu2+] = 2.5 – 1.87= 0.63 M (0.5)

and [Zn2+] = 0.1 +1.87= 1.97 M (0.5)

0.0591 [ 0.197 ]
Ecell =+110 V − log =+110 V −(0.015 V )
2 [ 0.63 ]
Ecell =+1.09 V (1)

(Assume each half-cell contains 1.00 L of solution.)

d) Calculate the mass of each electrode after 10.0 hours.
Mass of zinc consumed = 1.87 mol x 65.38g/mol= 122.3 g (0.5)
Therefore mass of zinc electrode = 200-122.3=77.7 g or 78 g (1)
Mass of copper formed = 1.87 mol x 63.55g/mol = 118.838g (0.5)
Therefore mass of copper electrode = 200+11.83=318.83g or 319 g (1)
e) What will cause the battery to die after some time?
1) All the Zn is consumed. (0.5)
(2) All the Cu2+ is consumed. (0.5)
(3) Equilibrium is reached (Ecell = 0). (1)