JEE125 Materials Technology Student ID……………………..

Tutorial 10 Surname……………………….
Name…………………………….
Galvanic and Electrolytic cells
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Question 1: A voltaic cell is constructed that uses the following reaction, and operates at 298K.
Zn(s) + Ni2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Ni(s)
a) What is the emf of this cell under standard conditions?
b) What is the emf of this cell when [Ni2+] = 3.50M, and [Zn2+] = 0.15M?
c) What is the emf when [Ni2+] = 0.10M, and [Zn2+] = 0.85M?
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Answer:

(a) From Appendix G (lecture notes):

Zn2+ + 2e → Zn, E0 = -0.763V----------------(1)
Ni2+ + 2e → Ni, E0 = -0.280V-----------------(2)
Reverse (1) to make a galvanic cell. Thus, Zn → Zn2+ + 2e ------(3)
E0 = 0.763V.
Add (2) and (3); thus, Zn + Ni2+ → Zn2+ + Ni, E0cell = 0.483V

(b) Given [Ni2+] = 3.50M, and [Zn2+] = 0.15M, from the Nernst equation,

0.0592   Zn2   0.0592  0.15 

Ecell = E cell 
0
log   2    0.483  log    0.523V
2  Ni  2  3.5 
   

(c) Given, [Ni2+] = 0.10M, and [Zn2+] = 0.85M, using the Nernst equation as for part (b) above,
0.0592  0.85 
Ecell  0.483  log    0.456V
2  0.10 

a) 0.483V
b) 0.523V
Page 1 of 3 c) 0.456V
Question 2: A voltaic cell is constructed with two Zn2+- Zn half cells. The two cell
compartments have [Zn2+] = 1.00 x 10-2 M, and [Zn2+] = 1.8M respectively. Sketch and label the
cell.a) Which electrode is the anode of the cell?
b) What is the standard emf of the cell?
c) What is the cell emf for the concentrations given?
d) For each electrode predict whether [Zn2+] will increase or decrease.
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Answer:

The standard cell potential, E0cell is zero volts, because both half cells are chemically identical. The cell
will operate until the spontaneous half cell,(in this case the LHS, or more dilute) component has
equalized the concentration of zinc ions in each half. This status is achieved by the more dilute cell
forming more zinc ions by an oxidation reaction, Zn → Zn2+ + 2e ------(1)
(a) Thus the LHS cell becomes the anode.
(b) E0cell = 0.00 V
(c) The anode half cell reaction is given by (1), and the cathode half cell reaction by, Zn 2+(conc.) + 2e →
Zn --------(2). By adding (1) and (2), the cell reaction may be expressed as Zn2+(conc.) →→ Zn2+(dil.) Apply
the Nernst equation:

0.0592  Dilute Zn2   0.0592  1.00  102 

Ecell  0.00  log  2 
  log    0.067V
2  Concentrated Zn   2  1.8 

(d) The concentration of zinc ions will increase in the LHS or anode half cell.
The concentration of zinc ions will decrease in the RHS or cathode half cell.

Page 2 of 3 c) 0.067v
Question 3: If the equilibrium constant for a one electron redox reaction at 298K is 3.7 x 106 ,
calculate the corresponding ∆G0 , and E0cell. Comment upon the significance of the values
obtained.
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Answer:

For the one electron redox reaction at 298K, the equilibrium constant
K = 3.7 x 106 .
Given ∆G0 = -RTlnK = -8.314J/K.mol x 298K x ln 3.7 x 106 = -37470.4 J/mol.
G0  37470.4 J/mol 
Given G0  nFE0 , E0       0.388V
nF  1  96485 C/mol 
The large numerical value of the equilibrium constant K, together with the large negative value of ∆G 0
and the positive value of E0 , indicate a spontaneous electrochemical reaction, and a galvanic cell.

E°= 0.388 V
Page 3 of 3