TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry

Multiple Choice

1. Consider the reaction represented by the balanced equation below:

Cu (s) + 2Ag + (aq) $ Cu 2+ (aq) + 2Ag (s)

In the above reaction, Cu(s) is the ...

A oxidising agent and is reduced.

B oxidising agent and is oxidised.

C reducing agent and is reduced.

D reducing agent and is oxidised. (2)

2. Which one of the following correctly describes the process taking place at the cathode of
an electrochemical cell and the electron transfer involved?

Process Electron transfer

A Oxidation Loss of electrons
B Reduction Loss of electrons
C Oxidation Gain of electrons
D Reduction Gain of electrons
(2)

3. Four tin (Sn) cans are each filled with a different solution as shown by the labels on the
cans in the diagrams below. Each solution has a concentration of 1mol.dm -3 at 25 ºC .
Which one of the tin cans will undergo oxidation?

Fe(NO3) 2(aq) Zn(NO3) 2(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) Ba(NO3)2(aq)

A B C D
(2)

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry
4. The following half-reactions are used in a galvanic cell:

Co 2+ + 2e - ? Co
Al 3+ + 3e ? Al
-

Which ONE of the following would represent the correct cell notation for this cell?

A Al/Al 3+ Co/Co 2+

B Al/Al 3+ Co 2+ /Co 2+

C Co/Co 2+ Al 3+ /Al

D Co 2+ /Co Al 3+ /Al (2)

5. One of the functions of the salt bridge in a galvanic cell in operation is to ...

A allow anions to travel to the cathode.

B maintain electrical neutrality in the half-cells.

C allow electrons to flow through it.

D provide ions to react at the anode and cathode.

(2)
6. An electrochemical cell is used to electroplate an iron spoon with nickel.

Which ONE of the following half-reactions takes place at the positive electrode of this
cell?

A Fe 2+ (aq) + 2e - $ Fe (s)

B Fe (s) $ Fe 2+ (aq) + 2e -

C Ni 2+ (aq) + 2e - $ Ni (s)

D Ni (s) $ Ni 2+ (aq) + 2e -
(2)
7. The major product formed at the ANODE in a membrane cell is ...

A hydrogen.

B oxygen.

C chlorine.

D hydroxide ions. (2)

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry
LONG QUESTIONS
1. Learners are given the following two unknown half-cells:

Half-cell 1: Q 2+ (aq) /Q (s)

Half-cell 2: (Pt) /R 2(g) /R - (aq)

During an investigation to identify the two half-cells, the learners connect each half-cell
alternately to a Cd 2+ (aq) | Cd (s) half-cell under standard conditions. For each combination
of two half-cells, they write down the net cell reaction and measure the cell potential.

The results obtained for the two half-cell combinations are given in the table below.

Combination Net Cell Reaction Cell Potential

I Q 2+ (aq) + Cd (s) $ Cd 2+ (aq) + Q (s) 0,13 V

II R 2(g) + Cd (s) $ Cd 2+ (aq) + 2R - (aq) 1,76 V

1.1 Write down THREE conditions needed for these cells to function as standard cells. (3)
1.2 For Combination I, identify:
1.2.1 The anode of the cell (1)
1.2.2 Q by using a calculation (5)
1.3 For Combination II, write down the:
1.3.1 Oxidation half-reaction (2)
1.3.2 NAME or FORMULA of the metal used in the cathode compartment. (1)
1.4 Arrange the following species in order of INCREASING oxidising ability:

Q 2+; R 2; Cd 2+

Explain fully how you arrived at the answer. A calculation is NOT required. (4)
2. A standard electrochemical cell is set up using a standard hydrogen half-cell and a
standard X | X 2+ half-cell as shown below. A voltmeter connected across the cell, initially
registers 0,31 V.

V
+

Hydrogen gas
Q -
X

Platinum
1 mol.dm-3 H + (aq) X 2+ (aq)

2.1 Besides concentration write down TWO conditions needed for the hydrogen half-
cell to function under standard conditions. (2)

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry
2.2 Give TWO reasons, besides being a solid, why platinum is suitable to be used as
electrode in the above cell. (2)
2.3 Write down the:
2.3.1 NAME of component Q (1)
2.3.2 Standard reduction potential of the X | X 2+ half-cell. (1)
2.3.3 Half-reaction that takes place at the cathode of this cell. (2)
2.4 The hydrogen half-cell is now replaced by a M | M 2+ half-cell. The cell notation of
this cell is:

M (s) | M 2+ (aq) X 2+ (aq) | X (s)

The initial reading on the voltmeter is now 2,05 V.

2.4.1 Identify metal M. Show how you arrived at the answer. (5)
2.4.2 Is the cell reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC?
Explain your answer. (2)
2.5 The reading on the voltmeter becomes zero after using this cell for several hours.
Give a reason for this reading by referring to the cell reaction. (1)
3. The simplified diagram below represents an electrochemical cell used for the purification
of copper.

D C Source

Electrode A

Electrode B
(impure copper)
Electrolyte

3.1 Define the term electrolysis. (2)

3.2 Give a reason why a direct-current (DC) source is used in this experiment. (1)
3.3 What metal must electrode A be made out of in this electrochemical cell? (1)
3.4 Write down the half-reaction which takes place at electrode A. (2)
3.5 Due to small amounts of zinc impurities in the impure copper, the electrolyte
becomes contaminated with Zn 2+ ions. Refer to the attached Table of Standard
Reduction Potentials to explain why the Zn 2+ ions will not influence the purity of the
copper obtained during this process. (3)
4. The diagram below shows a galvanic cell operating under standard conditions. The cell
reaction taking place when the cell is functioning is:

6Cl - (aq) + 2Au 3+ (aq) $ 3Cl 2(g) + 2Au (s)

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry

C 2
(g)
Au

Pt

- 3+
C (aq) Au (aq)

With switch S OPEN, the initial reading on the voltmeter is 0,14 V.

4.1 Write down the:
4.1.1 NAME or FORMULA of the oxidising agent. (1)
4.1.2 Half-reaction which takes place at the anode. (2)
4.1.3 Cell notation for this cell. (3)
4.2 Calculate the standard reduction potential of Au. (4)
Switch S is now closed and the bulb lights up.
4.3 How will the reading on the voltmeter now compare to the INITIAL reading of
0,14 V? Write down only LARGER THAN, SMALLER THAN or EQUAL TO. Give a
reason for the answer. (2)
5. The diagram below represents a simplified electrolytic cell used to electroplate a
spanner with chromium. The spanner is continuously rotated during the process of
electroplating.

DC Power supply

Electrode X

Spanner

Cr(NO 3 ) 3 (aq)

A constant current passes through the solution and the concentration of Cr (NO 3) 3(aq)
remains constant during the process.
5.1 Define the term electrolysis. (2)
5.2 Write down the:
5.2.1 Half-reaction that occurs at the spanner. (2)
5.2.2 NAME or FORMULA of the metal of which electrode X is made. (1)
5.2.3 Will electrode X be the anode or the cathode? Explain why this metal must
be used as this electrode. (3)

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry
5.2.4 NAME or FORMULA of the oxidising agent. (1)
6. The electrolysis of brine is the basis of the chlor-alkali process, a major industrial
process producing hydrogen, chlorine and sodium hydroxide.

DIAGRAM OF A MEMBRANE CELL

Anode Cathode
+ -
Ion-permeable
membrane
Depleted
gas A gas B
brine Water

Na+

CI -

Brine H2O H2O OH - NaOH(aq)

6.1 What is meant by the term 'brine'? (2)

6.2 Explain how the ion permeable membrane functions in this cell. (2)
6.3 Sodium cations ( Na + ) are found in the cathodic compartment of the membrane cell,
yet they do not undergo reduction to form sodium metal, instead hydrogen gas is
produced. Using half reactions, explain why this occurs. (3)
6.4 Chlorine and sodium hydroxide are two of the major products formed in this cell.
Give ONE possible use of each of these products in modern society and state how
this use would impact on one's daily life. (4)
7. Impure aluminium (bauxite) ore is imported into South Africa from Australia and contains
approximately 65% aluminium oxide. The extraction of aluminium is done through An
electrolytic technique which involves a three step process:
1. Extraction of the aluminium oxide from the mineral bauxite.
2. Mixing the molten aluminium oxide with a substance called cryolite.
3. Electrolysing the molten aluminium oxide/cryolite mixture to extract aluminium.

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 TOPIC 13: Electrochemistry
Carbon anodes
+
CO2 -

aluminium
Carbon lining oxide/
the steel cryolite melt
container
acting as
the cathode

South Africa has four aluminium smelters situated in the coastal cities of Port Elizabeth
and Richards Bay. The smelters contain giant electrolytic cells where carbon electrodes
(anodes) are placed directly into the cell while carbon lining the steel casing of the cell is
made the cathode.
7.1 What alternate name is given to the aluminium oxide present in the bauxite? (1)
7.2 What is the importance of mixing the aluminium oxide with cryolite and how would
this be beneficial to the environment? (3)
7.3 Write down an equation for the half reaction taking place at the cathode. (2)
7.4 Carbon dioxide is one of the waste products produced by this process.
How is carbon dioxide formed during this process? (2)

44 Grade 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES Term 3