LAB WORK 3.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Purpose
To determine the activity of different metals. To measure the standard emf of the
copper–zinc galvanic cell. To explore the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of different
salts
Procedure
Safety
Dilute aqueous salt solutions are not dangerous, BUT if any chemicals spill on you,
immediately rinse the affected area under running water. Dispose of all chemical waste
in the porcelain container
Materials and equipment
1) 0.5 M Al2(SO4)3 (aq), FeCl3 (aq), ZnSO4 (aq), and CuSO4 (aq), K3[Fe(CN)6]
(aq), granules of Al, Zn, and Cu; 3 small test tubes, test tube rack; 2) Copper and zinc
electrodes, 1 M CuSO4 (aq), 1 M ZnSO4 (aq); 2 50-mL beakers, salt bridge, voltmeter;
3) 0.5 M CuSO4 (aq), NaCl (aq), and KI (aq), starch (aq), KI-starch aqueous solution,
test paper, phenolphthalein alcohol solution; U-tube, 2 graphite electrodes, power supply
Part 1. Electrode potentials of metals
Values of electrode potentials of metals are derived from comparisons with the
hydrogen cell under standardized conditions of 1 M solution at 25 oC and 1 atmosphere
(101325 Pa) pressure. The standard hydrogen cell is hydrogen gas from a platinum
electrode in 1 M solution of H+. If E0 value is +ve, then the preferred direction of electron
flow is left to right. The ion or atom with the greater value of E0 will attract electrons
more easily. A positive value for E0 means that particles in the half cell attract electrons
more easily than particles in the hydrogen half cell. If more than one reaction could
occur, the reaction that does occur is the reaction that would form the greatest voltage
(See Course materials Appendix 6).
Experimental procedure
Note that solution volumes are approximate for all reactions below.
1. Place into 3 test tubes 2–3 mL of 0.5 M Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3, and CuSO4
solutions.
2. To the test tube containing solution of 0.5 M FeCl3 add 5 drops of the
K3[Fe(CN)6]. (K3[Fe(CN)6] serves as a test for Fe2+ ions. The reaction given
below takes place in this system
3FeCl3 + 2K 3 [Fe(CN)6 ] → Fe3 [Fe(CN)6 ]2 + 6KCl
yellow blue
a dark blue precipitate is known as Turnbull’s blue).
3. Place granules of zinc into the each test tube.
 4. In 2–3 minutes record your observations.
5. Write in molecular and ionic equations.
6. Repeat the experiment for the 0.5 M solutions of Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3,
and ZnSO4. But add granules of copper.
7. Repeat the experiment for the 0.5 M solutions of CuSO4, FeCl3, and
ZnSO4. But add granules of aluminum.
8. According to your observations range the metals by the decrease of
their activity.
Part 2. Zinc/copper galvanic cell
Electrochemical cells (Voltaic cells) form electricity from chemical reactions. The
cell is made up of two half cells. Each half cell consists of an electrode in contact with
an electrolyte. It is usually a metal in contact with one of the metal salt solutions (See
Course materials Chapter 6).
Experimental procedure
Note that solution volumes are approximate for all reactions below.
1. Fill 50-mL beaker with approximately 30 mL of 1 M solution of
ZnSO4.
2. Place zinc electrode into the solution.
3. Fill 50-mL beaker with approximately 30 mL of 1 M solution of
CuSO4.
4. Place copper electrode into the solution.
5. Connect the solutions with salt bridge.
6. Attach voltmeter to the system and measure the emf of the cell.
Record your observations.
7. Calculate: 1) theoretical value of the emf of this cell and compare it
with experimental data (Use Course materials, p. 90); 2) the free-energy change
(ΔG); equilibrium constant (K) (Use Course materials, p. 91); 3) the emf of this
cell under given concentrations: 0.001 M ZnSO4 and 1 M CuSO4, 0.1 M ZnSO4
and 0.1 M CuSO4 (Use Course material, p. 94.)
8. Write the half-cell reactions and cell diagram.
Part 3. Electrolysis of aqueous solutions of salts on the graphite electrodes
Electrolysis refers to the decomposition of a substance by an electric current. To
study the processes of electrolysis we use the aqueous solutions of KI, NaCl, and
CuSO4. Electrolysis is carried out on the graphite electrodes.
Experimental procedure
1. Place the solution of 0.5 M KI into the U-tube.
2. Attach electrodes to the power supply (cathode to “–“, anode to “+”).
3. Put electrodes into the solution.
4. Turn on the power supply (U ≈ 30 V).
5. Wait for 3–5 minutes.
 6. Turn off the power supply. Take out the electrodes and wash out them
under the running water.
7. Add 7 drops of iodine-starch solution to anode space. Record your
observations.
8. Add 3 drops of phenolphthalein to the cathode space. Record your
observations.
9. Make a conclusion about the medium character of the cathode space.
Write down the equations of the process.
10. Repeat the experiment described above with the solution of 0.5 M
NaCl, BUT add 7 drops of starch solution to the anode space.
11. Record your observations. Write down the equations of the process.
12. Repeat the experiment with the solution of 0.5 M CuSO4.
13. Look at the cathode and record your observations.
14. With the test-paper determine the character of medium of the anode
space and write the equations of the process.
Make the conclusions concerning the lab work and answer the questions given
below.
Questions
1. Arrange the following species in order of increasing strength
as oxidizing agents: MnO 4− (in acidic solution), Sn2+, Al3+, Co3+, and Ag+.
Assume all species are in their standard states.
+
2. Can Sn reduce Zn (2aq ) under standard-state conditions?

3. What is the standard emf of a galvanic cell made of a Cd

electrode in a 1.0 M Cd(NO3)2 solution and a Cr electrode in a 1.0 M
Cr(NO3)3 solution?
4. Calculate ΔGº for the following reaction at 298 K:
2Al3+ 2+
(𝑎𝑞) + 3Mg (𝑠) ⇌ 2Al(𝑠) + 3Mg (𝑎𝑞)
5. An aqueous of Mg(NO3)2 is electrolyzed on the graphite
electrodes. Write cathode and anode reactions. What are the gaseous
products at the anode and cathode?
6. A current of 0.452 A is passed through an electrolytic cell
containing molten CaCl2 for 1.50 hours. Write the electrode reactions and
calculate the quantity of products (in grams) formed at the electrodes.