ELECTROCHEMISTRY - BOARD QUESTIONS - (2010-2024)

2010

1. What is meant by limiting molar conductivity?

2. Express the relation among the cell constant, the resistance of the solution in the cell and
the conductivity of the solution. How is the conductivity of a solution related to its molar
conductivity?
3. Given that the standard electrode potential (E°) of metals are:
K+/K = -2.93 V, Ag+/Ag = 0.80 V, Cu2+/Cu = 0.34 V,
2+ 3+
Mg /Mg = - 2.37 V, Cr /Cr =- 0.74 V, Fe2+/Fe = - 0.44 V
Arrange these metals in an increasing order of their reducing power.
4. Two half-reactions of an electrochemical cell are given below:
MnO4-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e- Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) ; E° = + 1.51 V
2+ 4+ -
Sn (aq) Sn (aq) + 2e ; E° = + 0.51 V
Construct the redox reaction equation from the two half-reactions and calculate the cell
potential from the standard potentials and predict if the reaction is reactant or product
favoured.

2011

5. Determine the values of equilibrium constant (Kc) and ΔG° for the following reaction:
Ni(s) + 2Ag+(aq) Ni2+(aq) + 2Ag(s) ; E° = 1.05 V (F = 96500C)
6. A voltaic cell is set up at 25°C with the following half-cells, Al3+(0.001 M) and Ni2+(0.50 M).
Write the cell reaction when the cell generates an electric current and determine the cell
potential. (Given E°Ni2+/Ni = - 0.25 V, E°Al3+/Al = - 1.66 V)
7. The chemistry of corrosion is essentially an electrochemical phenomenon. Explain the
reactions occurring during the corrosion of iron in the atmosphere.

2012

8. (a) What type of battery is the lead storage battery? Write the anode and cathode
reactions and the overall reaction occurring in a lead storage battery sending out an
electric current.
(b) A voltaic cell is set at 25°C with the half-cells Ag+(0.001 M)/Ag and Cu+(0.10 M)/Cu
What should be its cell potential? (E°cell = 0.46 V, Log 105 = 5)
9. (a) Define the term molar conductivity and explain how molar conductivity changes with
solution concentration for weak and strong electrolytes.
(b) A strip of nickel metal is placed in a 1 molar solution of Ni(NO3)2 and a strip of silver
metal is placed in a 1 molar solution of AgNO3. An electrochemical cell is created when
the two solutions are connected by a salt bridge and two strips are connected by wires
to a voltmeter.
(i) Write the balanced equation for the overall reaction occurring in the cell and
calculate the cell potential
(ii) Calculate the cell potential, E° at 25°C for the cell if the initial concentration of
Ni(NO3)2 is 0.100 molar and the initial concentration of AgNO3 is 1.00 molar.
(E°Ni2+/Ni = - 0.25 V, E°Ag+/Ag = 0.80 V ; Log = 10-1 = -1)
2013

10. (a) State Kohlrausch’s law of independent migration of ions. Mention one application
of Kohlrausch’s law.
(b) The resistance of a conductivity cell containing 10-3 M KCl solution at 25°C is 1500 Ω.
What is the cell constant if conductivity of 10-3 M KCl solution at 25°C is
1.5 x 10-4Scm-1 ?
11. Calculate emf and ΔG° for the following cell at 298 K:
Mg(s) / Mg2+(10-3 M) // Cu2+(10-4 M) / Cu(s)
Given E°Mg2+/Mg = - 2.36 V and E°Cu2+/Cu = + 0.34 V (1F = 96500 C mol-1)

2014

12. A solution of Ni(NO3)2 is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a current of

5.0 ampere for 20 minutes. What mass of nickel will be deposited at the cathode?
(Atomic mass of Ni = 58.7 g mol-1; 1F = 96500 C mol-1)
13. (i) Write two advantages of H2-O2 fuel cell over ordinary cell.
(ii) Equilibrium constant (Kc) for the given cell reaction is 10. Calculate E°cell.
A(s) + B2+(aq) ⇄ A2+(aq) + B(s)

2015

14. (a) Following reaction occur at cathode during the electrolysis of aqueous
copper(II) chloride solution.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s); E° = + 0.34
+ -
H (aq) + e ½H2(g); E° = 0.00 V
On the basis of their standard reduction potential (E°) values, which reaction is feasible
at the cathode and why?
(b) State Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions. Write its one application.
15. Calculate the emf of the following cell at 25°C:
Zn(s) / Zn2+(0.001 M) // H+(0.01 M) / H2(g, 1 bar) / Pt(s)
Given E°Zn2+/Zn = - 0.76 V and E°H+/H2 = 0.00 V

2016

16. (a) Calculate ΔG° and log Kc for the following reaction at 298 K.
2Cr(s) + 3Fe2+(aq) 2Cr3+(aq) + 3Fe(s) ; Given E°cell = 0.30 V
(b) Using the E° values of A and B, predict which is better for coating the surface of iron
(E° Fe2+/Fe = - 0.44 V) to prevent corrosion and why?
(Given E°(A2+/A) = - 2.37 V; E°(B2+/B) = - 0.14 V)
17. (a) The conductivity of 0.001 mol L-1 solution of CH3COOH is 3.905 x 10-5 S cm-1.
Calculate its molar conductivity and degree of dissociation (α);
Given λ°(H+) = 349.6 S cm2 mol-1 and λ°(CH3COO-) = 40.9 S cm2 mol-1.
(b) What type of battery is lead storage battery? Write the overall reaction occurring in
lead storage battery.
2017

18. In a galvanic cell, the following cell reaction occurs:

Zn(s) + 2Ag+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + 2Ag(s); E°cell = + 1.56 V
(a) Is the direction of flow of electrons from Zinc to Silver or Silver to Zinc?
(b) How will concentration of Zn2+ ions and Ag+ ions be affected when the cell functions?
19. The electrical resistance of a column of 0.05 M KOH solution of diameter 1 cm and length
45.5 cm is 4.55 x 103 ohm. Calculate its molar conductivity.

2018

20. (a) Write the cell reaction and calculate the emf of the following cell at 298 K.
Sn(s) / Sn2+(0.004 M) // H+(0.020 M) / H2(g, 1 bar) / Pt(s)
Given E°Sn2+/Sn = - 0.14 V
(b) Give reasons:
(i) On the basis of E° values, O2 gas should be liberated at anode but Cl2 gas which is
liberated in the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl.
(ii) Conductivity of CH3COOH decreases on dilution.
21. (a) For the reaction:
2AgCl(s) + H2(g, 1 atm) 2Ag(s) + 2H+(0.1 M) + 2Cl-(0.1 M)
ΔG° = - 43600 J at 25°C. Calculate the emf of the cell (log = 10-n = -n)
(b) Define fuel cell and write its two advantages

2019

22. Define electrochemical cell. What happens when applied external potential becomes
greater than E°cell of electrochemical cell?
23. Calculate ΔG° and log Kc for the following reaction:
Zn(s) + Cd2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cd(s)
Given E°Cd2+/Cd = - 0.403 V; E°Zn2+/Zn = - 0.763 V
24. Chromium metal is electroplated using an acidic solution containing CrO3 according to the
following equation:
CrO3(aq) + 6H+ + 6e- Cr(s) + 3H2O
Calculate how many grams of chromium will be electroplated by 24,000 coulombs.
How long will it take to electroplate 1.5 g chromium using 12.5 A current?
(Atomic mass of Cr = 52 g mol-1, 1F = 96500 C mol-1)
25. Using E° values of X and Y, predict which is better for coating the surface of iron to
prevent rust and why?
Given: E°Fe2+/Fe = - 0.44 V; E°X2+/X = - 2.36 V; E°Y2+/Y = - 0.14 V

2020

26. If the standard electrode potential of an electrode is greater than zero, then we can infer
that its:
(a) Reduced form is more stable compared to hydrogen gas
(b) Oxidized form is more stable compared to hydrogen gas
(c) Reduced and oxidized forms are equally stable
(d) Reduced form is less stable than hydrogen gas
27. For an electrochemical cell:
Mg(s) + 2Ag+(aq) 2Ag(s) + Mg2+(aq)
Give the cell representation. Also write the Nernst equation for the above cell at 25°C.
28. Conductivity of 2 x 10-3 M methanoic acid is 8 x 10-5 S cm-1. Calculate its molar
conductivity and degree of dissociation if λ°m for methanoic acid is 404 S cm2 mol-1.
29. For an electrochemical cell:
Ni(s) + Cu2+(aq) Cu(s) + Ni2+(aq)
Give the cell representation. Also write the Nernst equation for the above cell at 25°C.
30. State Kohlrausch’s law. Calculate the molar conductance of Sr(NO3)2. The molar ionic
conductance of Sr2+ and NO3- ions are 119 S cm2 mol-1 and 72 S cm2 mol-1 respectively.
31. For an electrochemical cell:
F2(g) + 2I-(aq) I2(s) + 2F-(aq)
Give the cell representation. Also write the Nernst equation for the above cell at 25°C.
32. State Kohlrausch’s law. Calculate the molar conductance of Ba(OH)2. The molar ionic
conductance of Ba2+ and OH- ions are 127 S cm2 mol-1 and 199 S cm2 mol-1 respectively.

2022

33. In a plot of ∧m against the square root of concentration (C1/2) for strong and weak
electrolyte, the value of limiting molar conductivity of a weak electrolyte cannot be
obtained graphically. Suggest a way to obtain this value. Also state the related law, if any.
34. Write the Nernst equation and calculate emf of the following cell at 298 K:
Cr / Cr3+ (0.1 M) // Fe2+ (0.01 M) / Fe
Given: E°Cr3+/Cr = - 0.75 V; E°Fe2+/Fe = -0.45 V (log 10 = 1)
35. Write the Nernst equation and calculate emf of the following cell at 298 K:
Zn / Zn2+ (0.001 M) // H+ (0.01 M) / H2(g) (1bar) / Pt(s)
Given: E°Zn2+/Zn = - 0.76 V; E°H+/H2 = 0.00 V (log 10 = 1)
36. Write the Nernst equation and calculate emf of the following cell at 298 K:
Zn / Zn2+ (0.1 M) // Cd2+ (0.01 M) / Cd
Given: E°Zn2+/Zn = - 0.76 V; E°Cd2+/Cd =- 0.40 V (log 10 = 1)

2023

37. Kohlrausch gave the following relation for strong electrolyte:

∧ = ∧! - A√𝐶 ; Which of the following equality holds true?
(a) ∧ = ∧! as C → √𝐴 (b) ∧ = ∧! as C → 0
(c) ∧ = ∧! as C → ∞ (d) ∧ = ∧! as C → 1
38. The cathode reaction during the charging of a lead storage battery leads to the:
(a) Formation of PbSO4 (b) Reduction of Pb2+ to Pb4+
(c) Formation of PbO2 and Pb (d) Deposition of Pb at the anode
39. Assertion(A): Electrolysis of aqueous solution of NaCl gives chlorine gas at anode instead of
oxygen gas.
Reason(R): Formation of oxygen gas at anode requires overpotential.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
40. Define fuel cell and write its two advantages.
41. Using E° values of X and Y given below, predict which is better for coating the surface of Iron
to prevent corrosion and why?
Given: 𝐸"$!" /" = - 2.36 V; 𝐸%$!" /% = - 0.14 V; $
𝐸&' !" /&' = - 0.44 V

42. (a) Calculate the emf of the following cell at 25℃:

Zn (s) / Zn2+ (0.1 M) // H+ (0.01 M) / H2 (g) (1 bar), Pt (s)
$
[Given: 𝐸() !" /() = - 0.76 V, 𝐸*$ " /*! = 0.00 V, log 10 = 1]
(b) State Kohlrausch law of independent migration of ions. Why does the conductivity of a
solution decrease with dilution?

2024

43. During electrolysis of aqueous solution of NaCl:

(a) H2 (g) is liberated at cathode (b) Na is formed at cathode
(c) O2 (g) is liberated at anode (d) Cl2 (g) is liberated at cathode
44. During electrolysis of aqueous solution of CuCl2:
(a) H2 (g) is liberated at cathode (b) Cu is formed at cathode
(c) O2 (g) is liberated at anode (d) Cl2 (g) is liberated at cathode
45. The unit of cell constant is:
(a) ohm cm-1 (b) ohm-1 (c) cm-1 (d) ohm-1 cm2 mol-1
46. Calculate emf of the following cell:
Zn (s) / Zn2+ (0.1 M) // Sn2+ (0.001 M) / Sn (s)
$ $
Given: 𝐸() !" /() = - 0.76 V, 𝐸+) !" /+) = - 0.14 V [log 10 = 1]

47. (i) The resistance of 0.05 M CH3COOH solution is found to be 100 ohm. If the cell constant is
0.0354 cm-1, calculate the molar conductivity of the acetic acid solution.
(ii) State Faraday’s first law of electrolysis. How much charge in Faraday is required for the
reduction of 1 mol of MnO4- to Mn2+?
48. (i) The conductivity of 0.0025 mol L-1 acetic acid is 5.25 x 10-5 S cm-1. Calculate its degree of
dissociation if ⋀$, for acetic acid is 390 S cm2 mol-1.
(ii) Write anode, cathode and overall reaction of lead storage battery.