1. Consider the following standard electrode potentials.

2+ – O
Zn (aq) + 2e Zn(s) E = –0.76 V
– – O
Cl2(g) + 2e 2Cl (aq) E = +1.36 V

2+ – O
Mg (aq) + 2e Mg(s) E = –2.37 V

What will happen when zinc powder is added to an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride?

A. No reaction will take place.

B. Chlorine gas will be produced.

C. Magnesium metal will form.

D. Zinc chloride will form.

(Total 1 mark)

2. What are the features of a standard hydrogen electrode?

I. A temperature of 298 K

II. A carbon electrode

5
III. Hydrogen gas at 1.01 × 10 Pa (1 atm) pressure

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
3. Deduce the equations for the formation of the major product at the positive electrode (anode)
when the following aqueous solutions are electrolysed.
• dilute sodium chloride
• concentrated sodium chloride

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(Total 2 marks)

4. A voltaic cell is constructed from two half-cells as illustrated below.

(i) Use Table 14 of the Data Booklet to deduce the equation for the spontaneous reaction
occurring in this cell.

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......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2
 (ii) Calculate the standard potential for this cell.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) State the conditions necessary for the potential of the cell to equal that calculated in part
(ii) using the data from Table 14.

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......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

5. Using the data below and data from Table 14 of the Data Booklet, predict and explain which
metal, cadmium or chromium, may be obtained by electrolysis of separate aqueous solutions of
2+ 2+
Cd (aq) ions and Cr (aq) ions.

O
E /V
2+ – –0.40
Cd (aq) + 2e → Cd(s)
2+ – –0.91
Cr (aq) + 2e → Cr(s)

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(Total 2 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 3
6. (i) Electrolysis is used in the electroplating of metals. The same amount of current is passed
through separate aqueous solutions of NiSO4, Sn(SO4)2 and Cr2(SO4)3 in separate
electrolytic cells for the same amount of time. State and explain which cell would deposit
the greatest amount (in mol) of metal. Identify the electrode at which the metal is
deposited.

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......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) For the Sn(SO4)2 cell, suggest two factors, other than time and current, that would affect
the amount of metal deposited during electroplating.

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......................................................................................................................................

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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 4
7. The standard electrode potentials for two metals are given below.
3+ – O
Al (aq) + 3e Al(s) E = –1.66 V
2+ – O
Ni (aq) + 2e Ni(s) E = –0.23 V

What is the equation and cell potential for the spontaneous reaction that occurs?
3+ 2+ O
A. 2Al (aq) + 3Ni(s) → 2Al(s) + 3Ni (aq) E = 1.89 V
2+ 3+ O
B. 2Al(s) + 3Ni (aq) → 2Al (aq) + 3Ni(s) E = 1.89 V
3+ 2+ O
C. 2Al (aq) + 3Ni(s) → 2Al(s) + 3Ni (aq) E = 1.43 V
2+ 3+ O
D. 2Al(s) + 3Ni (aq) → 2Al (aq) + 3Ni(s) E = 1.43 V
(Total 1 mark)

8. The same quantity of electricity was passed through separate molten samples of sodium
bromide, NaBr, and magnesium chloride, MgCl2. Which statement is true about the amounts, in
mol, that are formed?

A. The amount of Mg formed is equal to the amount of Na formed.

B. The amount of Mg formed is equal to the amount of Cl2 formed.

C. The amount of Mg formed is twice the amount of Cl2 formed.

D. The amount of Mg formed is twice the amount of Na formed.

(Total 1 mark)

9. The standard electrode potential for a half-cell made from iron metal in a solution of iron(II)
2+
ions, Fe (aq), has the value –0.45 V.

(i) Define standard electrode potential.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 5
 (ii) Explain the significance of the minus sign in –0.45 V.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

10. Consider the following table of standard electrode potentials.

O
E /V

2+ –
Fe (aq) + 2e Fe(s) –0.45

2+ –
Sn (aq) + 2e Sn(s) –0.14

1
+ – 0.00
H (aq) + e 2 H2(g)

4+ – 2+
Sn (aq) + 2e Sn (aq) +0.15

3+ – 2+
Fe (aq) + e Fe (aq) +0.77

+ –
Ag (aq) + e Ag(s) +0.80

1
+1.07
2 Br2(l) + e– –
Br (aq)

From the list above:

(i) State the species which is the strongest oxidizing agent.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 6
 4+ 2+ 2+
(ii) Deduce which species can reduce Sn (aq) to Sn (aq) but will not reduce Sn (aq) to
Sn(s) under standard conditions.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

2+
(iii) Deduce which species can reduce Sn (aq) to Sn(s) under standard conditions.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

11. Sodium metal can be obtained by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

(i) Explain why it is very difficult to obtain sodium from sodium chloride by any other
method.

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......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Explain why an aqueous solution of sodium chloride cannot be used to obtain sodium
metal by electrolysis.

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(2)
(Total 4 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 7
 O
12. What conditions are necessary to directly measure a standard electrode potential (E )?
–3
I. A half-cell with an electrode in a 1.0 mol dm solution of its ions.

II. Connection to a standard hydrogen electrode.

III. A voltmeter between half-cells to measure potential difference.

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

13. What condition is necessary for the electroplating of silver, Ag, onto a steel spoon?

A. The spoon must be the positive electrode.

B. The silver electrode must be the negative electrode.

C. The spoon must be the negative electrode.

D. The electrolyte must be acidified.

(Total 1 mark)

14. (a) (i) Draw an annotated diagram of a voltaic cell composed of a magnesium electrode in
–3 –3
1.0 mol dm magnesium nitrate solution and a silver electrode in 1.0 mol dm
silver nitrate solution. State the direction of electron flow on your diagram.
(4)

(ii) Deduce half-equations for the oxidation and reduction reactions.

(2)

(iii) Using Table 14 of the Data Booklet, calculate the cell potential for this cell.
(2)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 8
 (b) The standard electrode potentials for three other electrode systems are given below.

O
E /V
– + – 2+
MnO4 (aq) + 8H (aq) + 5e Mn (aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.51
3+ – 2+
Fe (aq) + e Fe (aq) +0.77
2+ –
Cd (aq) + 2e Cd(s) –0.40

(i) Identify which species in the table above is the best reducing agent.
(1)

(ii) Deduce the equation for the overall reaction with the greatest cell potential.
(2)

(c) These values were obtained using a standard hydrogen electrode. Describe the materials
and conditions used in the standard hydrogen electrode. (A suitably labelled diagram is
acceptable).
(4)
(Total 15 marks)

15. (i) Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity but molten sodium chloride does.
Explain this difference.
(2)

(ii) Outline what happens in an electrolytic cell during the electrolysis of molten sodium
chloride using inert electrodes. Deduce equations for the reactions occurring at each
electrode.
(4)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 9
 (iii) Two electrolytic cells are connected in series as shown in the diagram below.
In one there is molten magnesium chloride and in the other, dilute sodium hydroxide
solution. Both cells have inert electrodes. If 12.16 g of magnesium is produced in the first
cell, deduce the identity and mass of products produced at the positive and negative
electrodes in the second cell.

(4)
(Total 10 marks)

16. Consider the following standard electrode potentials.

3+ – O
Cr (aq) + 3e → Cr(s) E = –0.74 V
3+ – 2+ O
Fe (aq) + e → Fe (aq) E = +0.77 V

What will be the cell potential, in V, of a voltaic cell in which the following reaction takes
place?
3+ 2+ 3+
Cr(s) + 3Fe (aq) → 3Fe (aq) + Cr (aq)

A. –1.51

B. –0.03

C. +0.03

D. +1.51
(Total 1 mark)

17. (i) Molten sodium chloride is electrolysed in a cell using inert electrodes.
State the half-equation, with state symbols, for the reaction taking place at the positive
electrode (anode) and for the reaction taking place at the negative electrode (cathode).
Determine the mole ratio of the products formed.
(3)

(ii) Predict and explain the products of electrolysis of a concentrated solution of NaCl(aq)
using inert electrodes. Your answer should include half-equations with state symbols for

IB Questionbank Chemistry 10
 the reaction at each electrode.
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

18. Electroplating is an important application of electrolytic cells with commercial implications.

Copper may be plated using an electrolytic cell with an aqueous acidified copper(II) sulfate
electrolyte.

For the copper plating of tin to make jewelry, state the half-equation at each electrode.
Assume the other electrode is also inert. Suggest two observations that you would be able to
make as the electroplating progresses.
(Total 4 marks)

19. The following equations indicate reactions that occur spontaneously.

Fe(s) + NiCl2(aq) → FeCl2(aq) + Ni(s)

Zn(s) + FeCl2(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + Fe(s)

Ni(s) + PbCl2(aq) → NiCl2(aq) + Pb(s)

Which is the increasing order of the reactivity of the metals?

A. Fe < Ni < Zn < Pb

B. Pb < Ni < Fe < Zn

C. Ni < Zn < Pb < Fe

D. Zn < Fe < Ni < Pb

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 11
20. A voltaic cell is made by connecting two half-cells represented by the half-equations below.
2+ – O
Mn (aq) + 2e → Mn(s) E = –1.19 V
2+ – O
Pb (aq) + 2e → Pb(s) E = –0.13 V

Which statement is correct about this voltaic cell?

A. Mn is oxidized and the voltage of the cell is 1.06 V.

B. Pb is oxidized and the voltage of the cell is 1.06 V.

C. Mn is oxidized and the voltage of the cell is 1.32 V.

D. Pb is oxidized and the voltage of the cell is 1.32 V.

(Total 1 mark)

21. For the electrolysis of aqueous copper(II) sulfate, which of the following statements is correct?

A. Cu and O2 are produced in a mol ratio of 1:1

B. H2 and O2 are produced in a mol ratio of 1:1

C. Cu and O2 are produced in a mol ratio of 2:1

D. H2 and O2 are produced in a mol ratio of 2:1

(Total 1 mark)

22. Magnesium can be produced from the electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride, MgCl 2.

(i) Explain how molten magnesium chloride conducts an electric current.

(2)

(ii) Identify the electrode where oxidation occurs during electrolysis of molten magnesium
chloride and state an equation for the half-reaction.
(2)

(iii) Explain why magnesium is not formed during the electrolysis of aqueous magnesium
chloride solution.
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 12
23. Which conditions are usually stated for a standard hydrogen electrode?
5
I. Hydrogen gas at a pressure of 1.01 × 10 Pa (1 atm)
–3
II. 1.0 mol dm solution of any acid

III. Temperature of 25 ºC (298 K)

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

24. Consider these standard electrode potentials.

2+ – O
Mg (aq) + 2e Mg(s) E = –2.36 V
2+ – O
Zn (aq) + 2e Zn(s) E = –0.76 V

What is the cell potential for the voltaic cell produced when the two half-cells are connected?

A. –1.60 V

B. +1.60 V

C. –3.12 V

D. +3.12 V
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 13
25. An electrochemical cell is made from an iron half-cell connected to a cobalt half-cell:

2+ –
The standard electrode potential for Fe (aq) + 2e Fe (s) is –0.45 V. The total cell potential
obtained when the cell is operating under standard conditions is 0.17 V.
Cobalt is produced during the spontaneous reaction.

(i) Define the term standard electrode potential and state the meaning of the minus sign in
the value of – 0.45 V.
(3)

(ii) Calculate the value for the standard electrode potential for the cobalt half-cell.
(1)

(iii) Deduce which species acts as the oxidizing agent when the cell is operating.
(1)

(iv) Deduce the equation for the spontaneous reaction taking place when the iron half-cell is
connected instead to an aluminium half-cell.
(2)

(v) Explain the function of the salt bridge in an electrochemical cell.

(2)
(Total 9 marks)

26. (a) An electrolytic cell is made using a very dilute solution of sodium chloride.

IB Questionbank Chemistry 14
 (i) Draw a labelled diagram of the cell. Use an arrow to show the direction of the
electron flow and identify the positive and negative electrodes.
(3)

(ii) Give the formulas of all the ions present in the solution.
(2)

(iii) Predict the products obtained at each electrode and state the half-equation for the
formation of each product.
(3)

(iv) Deduce the molar ratios of the products obtained at the two electrodes.
(1)

(b) Predict the products by giving the relevant half-equation for the reaction occurring at
each electrode if the electrolyte of the cell described in part (a) was changed to:

(i) concentrated sodium chloride

(2)

(ii) molten sodium bromide

(2)
(Total 13 marks)

27. What is the cell potential, in V, for the reaction that occurs when the following two half-cells are
connected?
2+ – O
Fe (aq) + 2e Fe(s) E = –0.44 V
2– + – 3+ O
Cr2O7 (aq) + 14H (aq) + 6e 2Cr (aq) + 7H2O(l) E = +1.33 V

A. + 0.01

B. + 0.89

C. + 1.77

D. + 2.65
(Total 1 mark)

O
28. Which are necessary conditions for the standard hydrogen electrode to have an E of exactly
zero?

IB Questionbank Chemistry 15
 I. Temperature = 298 K
+ –3
II. [H ] = 1 mol dm
–3
III. [H2] = 1 mol dm

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

–3
29. How do the products compare at each electrode when aqueous 1 mol dm magnesium bromide
and molten magnesium bromide are electrolysed?
O
E /V
2+ –
Mg (aq) + 2e Mg(s) –2.37
– –
½Br2(l) + e Br (aq) +1.07
+ –
½O2(g) + 2H (aq) + 2e H2O(l) +1.23

Positive electrode (Anode) Negative electrode (Cathode)

A. same same
B. same different
C. different same
D. different different
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 16
30. Consider the following half-cell reactions and their standard electrode potentials.
2+ – O
Ni (aq) + 2e Ni(s) E = –0.26 V
3+ – O
Al (aq) + 3e Al(s) E = –1.66 V

(i) Deduce a balanced equation for the overall reaction which will occur spontaneously when
these two half-cells are connected.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Determine the cell potential when the two half-cells are connected.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) On the cell diagram below, label the negative electrode (anode), the positive electrode
(cathode) and the directions of the movement of electrons and ion flow.

(4)
(Total 7 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 17
31. Which equation represents the reduction process occurring in the standard hydrogen electrode?
+ –
A. H2(g) → 2H (aq) + 2e

+ –
B. H (aq) + OH (aq) → H2O(l)

+ –
C. 2H (aq) + 2e → H2(g)

+ –
D. O2(g) + 4H (aq) + 4e → 2H2O(l)
(Total 1 mark)

ο
32. Which statement is correct about the value of E ?
ο
A. The more positive the value of E , the greater the driving force for reduction.
ο
B. The more negative the value of E , the greater the driving force for reduction.
ο
C. The more positive the value of E , the greater the rate of reaction.
ο
D. The more negative the value of E , the greater the rate of reaction.
(Total 1 mark)

33. A table of standard electrode potentials can be found in Table 14 of the Data Booklet.

(a) Describe the materials and conditions used in the standard hydrogen electrode.

.....................................................................................................................................

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(5)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 18
 (b) Define the term oxidizing agent in terms of electron transfer and identify the strongest
oxidizing agent in Table 14 of the Data Booklet.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) A cell was set up using tin in tin(II) sulfate solution and copper in copper(II) sulfate
solution, with both solutions under standard conditions.

(i) Calculate the cell potential.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Write an equation for the spontaneous cell reaction.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 19