Aim : To determine the voltage of a voltaic cell by using different pairs of metals.

Apparatus and materials: Zinc plate, copper plate, iron plate, magnesium ribbon, 1.0 mol dm-3 zinc sulphate
solution, 1.0 mol dm-3 copper(II) sulphate solution, 1.0 mol dm-3 iron(II) sulphate
solution, 1.0 mol dm-3 magnesium sulphate solution, 1.0 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid,
forceps, glass rod, beaker, voltmeter, crocodile clip and filter paper
Group 1 -5
Procedure :
Zinc electrode, Zn Copper electrode, Cu

Zinc sulphate, ZnSO4 Copper(II) sulphate,

solution CuSO4 solution

1. Clean a zinc plate and copper plate with sandpaper.

2. Pour 1.0 mol dm-3 of zinc sulphate solution into beaker until half-filled.
3. Pour 1.0 mol dm-3 of copper(II) sulphate solution into another beaker until half-filled.
4. Soak a filter paper with sulphuric acid and placed into both beakers.
5. Dip zinc plate into zinc sulphate solution.
6. Dip copper plate into copper(II) sulphate solution.
7. The zinc plate and copper plate are connected to a voltmeter.
8. Record the reading of voltmeter.

Group 6 -10
Procedure :
Magnesium electrode, Mg Iron electrode, Fe

Magnesium sulphate, Iron(II) sulphate,

MgSO4 solution, FeSO4 solution

1. Clean a magnesium ribbon and iron plate with sandpaper.

2. Pour 1.0 mol dm-3 of magnesium sulphate solution into beaker until half-filled.
3. Pour 1.0 mol dm-3 of iron(II) sulphate solution into another beaker until half-filled.
4. Soak a filter paper with sulphuric acid and placed into both beakers.
5. Dip magnesium ribbon into magnesium sulphate solution.
6. Dip iron plate into iron(II) sulphate solution.
7. The magnesium ribbon and iron plate are connected to a voltmeter.
8. Record the reading of voltmeter.

MH Heng Form 5 1
Results:
Pair of metals Voltage(V) Negative terminal(anode) Positive terminal(cathode)

Zinc + Copper

Magnesium + Iron

Discussion:
Experiment Group 1 -5 (Zn and Copper)
1. Write the cell notation for the voltaic cell.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
2. Write the half equations for oxidation reaction, reduction reaction and the overall ionic equation.

Experiment Group 6 -10 (Magnesium and Iron)

1. Write the cell notation for the voltaic cell.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
2. Write the half equations for oxidation reaction, reduction reaction and the overall ionic equation.

Chemical solution Colour of solution

Zinc sulphate solution
Magnesium sulphate solution
Iron(II) sulphate solution
Copper(II) sulphate solution

MH Heng Form 5 2