ELECTROLYTIC CELL LAB

Introduction: In this experiment, we will prepare several different half-cells and connect them to find the voltages generated. Procedures: We will use the values from the voltages generated to construct a table of relative electrode potentials. Next we will change the concentration of one of the solutions to see how this affects the cell potential. Thirdly, we will measure the electrical potential of a cell and using the measured potential and nernst equation, we will determine the solubility product of AgCl. Results, Data, and Calculations: Voltage of each half-cell vs the zinc chloride Voltage Zn vs Ag Zn vs Cu Zn vs Fe Zn vs Mg Zn vs Pb Reduction Equations: Half Reaction Ag+ + e- Ag Cu2+ + 2e- Cu Fe3+ + 3e- Fe Pb+2 + 2e- Pb Zn+2 + 2e- Zn Mg2+ + 2e- Mg 2. Measure Cell Potentials Zn as Standard (EZn), V 1.41 0.98 0.54 0.47 0.00 -0.62 H2 as Standard (E), V 0.80 0.34 -0.44 -0.13 -0.76 -2.37 EZn - E, V 0.61 0.64 0.98 0.60 0.76 1.75 1.41 V 0.98 V 0.54 V 0.62 V 0.47 V Anode Zn Zn Zn Zn Zn Cathode Ag Cu Fe Mg Pb

ELECTROLYTIC CELL LAB

An Cat. Equation for the Cell Reaction . Zn Ag Zn(s) + 2 Ag+ -> Zn+2 + 2 Ag(s) Zn Cu Zn(s) + Cu+2 -> Zn+2 + Cu(s) Zn Fe 3 Zn(s) + 2 Fe+3 -> 3 Zn+2 + 2 Fe(s) Zn Mg Zn(s) + Mg+2 -> Zn+2 + Mg(s) 3. Change Ion Concentration:
Cu+2 + Zn(s) Zn+2 + Cu(s)
Ecell= 1.10 V-(8.314298K 296500) Ecell=1.01 V ln 1.0 0.0010

Measured Potential 1.41 V 0.98 V 0.54 V 0.62 V

4. Find the Solubility Product of AgCl:

2Ag+ + Zn(s) Zn+2 + 2Ag(s) E standard = 0.80 + 0.76= 1.56 V 1.41 V = 1.56 V - (8.314298K ln 1.0
296500) x
2

X = 0.0025M Ag+

Questions: Pre Lab Questions: 1. Cu+2 2. Al 3. A) Al B) Al C) 2.00 V D) 3Cu2+ 2Al 2Al+3 + 3Cu Post Lab Questions: 1. Electrode potential is the voltage generated when a half-cell is connected to a standard halfcell, usually the hydrogen electrode, which is assigned a potential of zero volts. 2. Yes; the ranking of reduction equations was the same as the ranking in a published chart of E 3. The values found using the zinc electrode as a standard should be greater than the values in the E table based on the standard hydrogen electrode. 4. Removal of solutions would have produced a different redox reaction than what was intended, which would have yielded a different voltage with respect to the zinc electrode. This would have severely impacted subsequent calculations concerning the predicted and measured cell potentials Also, since only one set of trials was used, there was no basis for comparison, so the result could have varied widely. 5. A negative value for a standard potential indicates that the cell is not galvanic, meaning that the oxidation reaction is more likely to occur than the reduction. 6. The electrode potential depended on the concentration of substances and the temperature (according to the Nernst equation). The concentration of copper was reduced from 1.0M to 0.001M. For the 1M solution, the reduction potential went down. This is in agreement with LeChateliers Principle because the amount of volts generated by the reaction was reduced when the concentration of copper was reduced.