Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology



PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY 1

GROUP ASSIGNMENT PROJECT

Lecturer : DR. NGO MINH THANG

Group No: 222- CC04 - 03

NAME STUDENTS’ ID
Chitpasong Phonethip 2052819

Nguyễn Ngọc Thiên Phúc 2053340

Phạm Công Toàn 1953026

Võ Trần Gia Vỹ 2153978

 Physical Chemical 2 Project

Hồ Chí Minh city – 2023

No Name Student ID Assignment Grade

1 Chitpasong Phonethip 2052819 Question 3

2 Nguyễn Ngọc Thiên Phúc 2053340 Question 4,5

3 Phạm Công Toàn 1953026 Question 1

4 Võ Trần Gia Vỹ 2153978 Question 2

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Question 1:
Problem 1: Given at temperature 298 K, the equilibrium constant for the
dissociation of acetic acid in water is KD = 1.75 x 10-5.
At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its
aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH only.
At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its
aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH and 10-1 mol.dm-3 NaOH.
Calculate the ionic strength of this solution. Then use the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting
law to calculate the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution.
At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its
aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH and 10-2 mol.dm-3 HCl.
Calculate the ionic strength of this solution. Then use the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting
law to calculate the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution.
Try to qualitatively compare the conductivities of the 3 solutions mentioned
above.

Answer:

Given at temperature 298 K, the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of

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acetic acid in water is KD = 1.75 x 10-5

At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its

aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH only.

Because acetic acid is a weak electrolyte, so it dissociates partially:

CH3COOH  CH3COO- + H+

Initial: 10-3 0 0 (mol.dm-3)

React: a*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3

Equilibrium: (1-a)*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3

We use the formula of the equilibrium constant for the dissociation:

a2 ∗10 − 3
KC = = 1.75 x 10-5
1−a

So the degree of dissociation of acetic acid: a = 0.1238

At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its

aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH and 10-1 mol.dm-3 NaOH.
Calculate the ionic strength of this solution. Then use the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting law
to calculate the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution.

CH3COOH + NaOH  CH3COONa + H2O

Initial: 10-3 0.1 0 0 (mol.dm-3)

React: a*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3

Eq: (1-a)*10-3 0.1-a*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3

We use the formula of the equilibrium constant for the dissociation:

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a 2 ∗10− 3 = 1.75 x 10-5

KC = −
(1− a)∗(0.1− a ∗10 3)

So the degree of dissociation of acetic acid: a = 0.041

Ionic strength of an ionic solution is calculated by the molar concentration

formula:

1
IC=
2
∑ 2
(Ci . Zi )

the ionic strength of this solution is: IC = 4.1*10-5

the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting law for the mean activity coefficients of
electrolytes:

lgγ ±=−|Z +. Z −| A √ IC

At 298 K (25oC), the value of A evaluated base on the table:

the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution is γ± = 0.9925

At this temperature, calculate the degree of dissociation of acetic acid in its

aqueous solution containing 10-3 mol.dm-3 CH3COOH and 10-2 mol.dm-3 HCl. Calculate
the ionic strength of this solution. Then use the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting law to
calculate the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution.

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CH3COOH  CH3COO- + H+

Initial: 10-3 0 0.01 (mol.dm-3)

React: a*10-3 a*10-3 a*10-3

Equilibrium: (1-a)*10-3 a*10-3 0.01+a*10-3

We use the formula of the equilibrium constant for the dissociation:

a∗(0.01+ a ∗10− 3)
KC = = 1.75 x 10-5
1− a

So the degree of dissociation of acetic acid: a = 0.00175

Ionic strength of an ionic solution is calculated by the molar concentration

formula:

1
2∑
2
IC= (Ci . Zi )

the ionic strength of this solution is: IC = 5.002*10-3

the Debye-Hūckel 1st limiting law for the mean activity coefficients of
electrolytes at 25oC:

lgγ ±=−|Z +. Z −|0.509 √ IC

the mean activity coefficients of electrolytes inside this solution is γ± = 0.92

Try to qualitatively compare the conductivity of of the 3 solutions mention

above.

Because the conductivity of a solution depends on the number of ions present.

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And for weak electrolyte like acetic acid, the conductivity is proportional to the percent
dissociation.

So by comparing the degree of dissociation (a) of the 3 solutions we can

qualitatively compare the conductivity (x) of of the 3 solutions:

0.1238 > 0.00175 > 0.000041  a1 > a3 > a2  x1 > x3 >x2

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Question 2:
0 0
ϕ Zn 2+|Zn ϕ Ag+|Ag
Problem 2: Consider the electrochemical cell with = – 0.76 V =

0.7996 V

a Zn2 + a
Zn  ZnSO4 ( = 1.5)  AgNO3 ( Ag 2 = 1.5)  Ag

2.1 Write the electrode half-reactions and the overall reaction occurring in this cell
0
2.2 Calculate the standard emf E298 and the actual emf
E298 of this cell at 298 K. Try to

comment about this value.

0
2.3 Calculate the standard Gibbs energy ΔG 298 and the actual Gibbs energy
ΔG 298 of

the overall reaction occurring in this cell at 298 K. Try to comment about this value.

E
2.4 Try to propose 2 solutions to increase the actual emf 298 of this cell at 298 K.

Answer:

2.1 The electrode half-reactions occurring in this cell are:

Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e (oxidation half-reaction)

Ag+(aq) + e → Ag(s) (reduction half-reaction)

The overall reaction can be written by combining the two half-reactions and canceling
out the electrons:

Zn(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2Ag(s)

2.2 The standard emf of the cell, E°cell, can be calculated by subtracting the
standard reduction potential of the anode from the standard reduction potential of the

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cathode:

E°cell = E°cathode - E°anode

E°cell = 0.7996 V - (-0.76 V)

E°cell = 1.5596 V

The actual emf of the cell, Ecell, can be calculated using the Nernst equation

Ecell = E°cell - (RT/nF) ln(Q)

where R is the gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K),

T is the temperature in Kelvin (298 K),

n is the number of electrons transferred (2 in this case),

F is the Faraday constant (96485 C/mol), and Q is the reaction quotient.

The reaction quotient can be calculated using the concentrations of the species
involved in the cell:

Q = [Zn2+]/[Ag+]2

At equilibrium, Q = K, where K is the equilibrium constant for the overall reaction.

Since the reaction is at equilibrium, the actual emf of the cell, Ecell, can be calculated as:

Ecell = E°cell - (RT/nF) ln(K)

2.3 The standard Gibbs energy of the reaction, ΔG°, can be calculated using the
equation:

ΔG° = -nFE°cell

Where n is the number of electrons transferred and F is the Faraday constant.

Substituting the values:

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ΔG° = -2 x 96485 x 1.5596 V

ΔG° = -301307 J/mol

ΔG° = -301.3 kJ/mol

The actual Gibbs energy of the reaction, ΔG, can be calculated using the equation:

ΔG = ΔG° + RT ln(Q/K)

Substituting the values:

ΔG = -301.3 kJ/mol + (8.314 J/mol·K x 298 K) ln([Zn2+]/[Ag+]2/K)

2.4 To increase the actual emf of the cell, some possible solutions could be:

 Increasing the concentration of the ZnSO4 and AgNO3 solutions: This would increase
the reaction quotient (Q) and shift the equilibrium to the right, increasing the actual
emf of the cell.

 Using a different metal in place of Zn as the anode: The standard reduction potential
of the cathode is relatively high, so using a metal with a more negative standard
reduction potential than Zn would create a larger potential difference and increase the
actual emf of the cell. For example, using magnesium (Mg) as the anode instead of Zn
would increase the standard reduction potential of the anode to -2.37 V and increase
the overall potential difference of the cell.

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Question 3:
+ −
Find the electrochemical cell where the overall reaction Ag + Cl = AgCl (s)

spontaneously occurs and find out the corresponding standard electrode potentials
from the reference data. Consequently, calculate the standard emf of this cell and
propose solutions for increasing this cell emf.

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Answer:

This electrochemical cell that can spontaneously undergo the

reaction:

−¿ →AgCl ( s) ¿ involves a silver electrode and a chlorine electrode.

Ag+¿+Cl ¿

The half – reactions that occur at each electrode are:

+¿
Ag(aq) + e
+¿ → Ag (s )¿
¿
(reduction)

Cl 2(g) +2 e
−¿→ 2 Cl(aq) ¿¿
−¿
(oxidation)

The standard electrode potentials for these half – reactions are:

(reduction potential)
E° ¿

° (oxidation potential)
E¿

To calculate the standard emf of this electrochemical cell, we use

the formula:

° ° °
E cell=E ( reduction )− E (oxidation )

°
E cell=+0.80 V −( +1.36 V )=−0.56 V

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The negative sign indicates that the reaction is not spontaneous

under standard conditions.

To increase the cell emf and make the reaction spontaneous, we

can try the following:

Increase the concentration of Ag+¿¿or Cl−¿¿ ions in their respective

half – cells. This will increase the driving force for the reaction to occur.

Change the electrode materials to ones with larger differences in their

standard electrode potentials. For example, we could replace the silver

electrode with a more negative electrode, such as Zinc ( E° =−0.76 V ) or

replace the chlorine electrode with a more positive electrode, such us

fluorine ( E° =+2.87 V ). Increase the temperature of the cell. This will

increase the rate of the reaction and can make it more spontaneous.

Use a more concentrated electrolyte solution to increase the

conductivity of the cell and reduce resistance.

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Problem 4:
An electrolytic cell might be considered a counter-part of an electrochemical
cell. However, both electrodes in an electrolytic cell are immersed in the same
electrolyte solution, while each electrode in an electrochemical cell has its own
electrode solution (environments). Try to discuss the reasons, advantages and
limitations of this construction difference.

Answer:

The reaction in a Galvanic cell has a negative Gibbs energy of reaction. If the
reactants come into touch, the process will continue without producing electricity
(generating more heat instead). The reactants cannot come into contact in certain
circumstances (lead acid battery) because they are both solid, one on the anode and
the other on the cathode. In other circumstances, they would come into touch,
therefore a barrier is required (and separate half-cells). The separation is required to
avoid direct chemical contact between the oxidation and reduction processes, which
would result in a potential difference.

The reaction in an electrolytic cell has a positive Gibbs energy. If the products
come into touch, they will react in the opposite way (unless a catalyst is used),
resulting in a pointless cycle. In many circumstances, such as molten NaCl
electrolysis, the products are unable to come into contact because they are gases,
solids, or liquids that do not mix with the electrolyte. In other cases, such as water
electrolysis, the products may potentially mix in the gas phase but are not sufficiently
reactive to support the reverse reaction (for water electrolysis, you would have to
collect oxygen and hydrogen in a common vessel and then ignite them with a spark,
either intentionally or unintentionally).

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 Problem 5:
Write a short essay (maximal one page A4 only) expressing the common
characteristics of different electrode types and their possible applicability.

Answer:

Electrodes refer to a conductor by which electrical currents can be

transmitted. Electrodes are principal components of electrochemical cells. An
electrode is a good conductor of electricity. Electrodes can be gold, platinum,
carbon, graphite, metal, or even gas. The main characteristics of an electrode
material are highly effective specific surface area, extraordinary electrical
conductivity , lightweight, chemical and thermal stability and cost-effective. Different
electrode types include: reversible cationic /anionic electrodes, metal coated by an
insoluble salt immersed in a solution containing the anion of the salt, a metal coated
by two insoluble salts with common anion in a solution containing cation of the
second salt, gas electrode, amalgam electrodes, redox electrodes , , glass electrode.
Glass electrodes have been utilized in a wide range of applications including pure
research, control of industrial processes, analysis of foods and cosmetics,
measurement of environmental indicators, and microelectrode measurements such
as cell membrane electrical potential and soil acidity. While amalgam electrodes can
be used to detect zinc, cobalt and nickel in additions to other metals like lead,
copper, thallium, cadmium, bismuth, iron etc. Over the years, gas diffusion
electrodes have been adapted for various other processes like: Zinc-air
battery since 1980, Nickel-metal hydride battery since 1990, Chlorine production by
electrolysis of waste hydrochloric acid, and Chloralkali process. Redox electodes
and are often used in light industrial, water treatment, wet-leisure (spa and swimming
pool), hydroponics, laboratory and educational applications.