ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS 1
1 Give the oxidation state of chlorine in the following species. (3)
species NaCl OCl– ICl3 ClF3 Cl2
oxidation state –1 +1 –1 +3 0
2 a) For each of the following reduction or oxidation processes write a half equation.
i) conversion of I2 to I– ü I2 + 2e– ® 2I –
ii) conversion of N2 to NO3– ü N2 + 6H2O ® 2NO3– + 10e– + 12H+
iii) conversion of V3+ to VO2+ ü V3+ + H2O ® VO2+ + e– + 2H+
iv) conversion of H2SO4 to S ü H2SO4 + 6H+ + 6e– ® S + 4H2O
v) conversion of NO3– to NH4+ ü NO3– + 8e– + 10H+ ® NH4+ + 3H2O
vi) conversion of BrO3– to Br2 ü 2BrO3– + 10e– + 12H+ ® Br2 + 6H2O (6)
b) Write a redox equation for the reaction of H2SO4 with I– ions, producing S and I2, using the half-equations from (a).
Also state which species is reduced and the reducing agent.
Equation ü H2SO4 + 6H+ + 6I – ® S + 4H2O + 3I2
Species reduced ü H2SO4
Reducing agent ü I– (3)
c) When concentrated nitric acid is added to copper metal, the copper is oxidised to oxidation state +2 and the nitric
acid is reduced to nitrogen(IV) oxide. Derive half-equations and then write an equation for the reaction.
ü Cu ® Cu2+ + 2e–
ü HNO3 + H+ + e– ® NO2 + H2O
ü 2HNO3 + 2H+ + Cu ® 2NO2 + 2H2O + Cu2+ (3)
3 Concentrated sulfuric acid was added to a solid potassium halide compound. White fumes immediately followed
by orange fumes were seen.
a) i) Identify the white fumes. ü HBr
ii) State the type of reaction that forms these white fumes. ü acid-base
iii) Write an equation for the reaction that forms these white fumes. ü KI + H2SO4 ® KHSO4 + HI (3)
b) i) Identify the orange fumes. ü Br2
ii) State the type of reaction that forms these orange fumes. ü redox
iii) Write an equation for the reaction that forms these orange fumes.
ü 2Br– + H2SO4 + 2H+ ® SO2 + Br2 + 2H2O (3)
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4 Combine these half equations to give a redox equation.
MnO4– + 8H+ + 5e– ® Mn2+ + 4H2O and H2O2 ® O2 + 2H+ + 2e–
ü 2MnO4– + 6H+ + 5H2O2 ® 2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 5O2 (1)
5 This electrochemical cell was set up.
copper platinum
iron(II) sulfate (aq)
copper(II) +
sulfate (aq) iron(III) sulfate (aq)
Standard electrode potentials Eo /V
Fe3+(aq) + e– ® Fe2+(aq) + 0.77
2+
Cu (aq) + 2 e –
® Cu(s) + 0.34
a) Give the cell notation for this cell.
Cu ½Cu2+ ½½ Fe3+, Fe2+ ½ Pt
ü left hand side
ü right hand side (2)
b) Why is platinum used in the right-hand electrode?
ü Pt is inert
ü acts as a surface for electron transfer (2)
c) The cell was set up under standard conditions. Give the formula and concentration of each of the iron(II) sulfate
and iron(III) sulfate in the right hand electrode. (2)
formula ü concentration / mol dm–3 ü
iron(II) sulfate FeSO4 1.0
iron(III) sulfate Fe2(SO4)3 0.5
d) State one other standard condition besides the concentration of the solutions.
ü 298 K (or zero current) (1)
e) What is A and what is its role?
ü salt bridge
ü completes the circuit (2)
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f) Write an equation for the reaction taking place in the cell.
ü 2Fe3+ + Cu ® 2Fe2+ + Cu2+ (1)
g) Calculate the overall cell emf.
ü Eo = +0.43 V (1)
5 Nickel-cadmium cells are a common type of rechargeable cell.
Standard electrode potentials Eo /V
Cd(OH)2 + 2 e –
® Cd + 2 OH –
– 0.81
2 NiOOH + 2 H2O + 2 e –
® 2 Ni(OH)2 + 2 OH –
+ 0.49
a) Calculate the overall cell emf.
ü Eo = +1.30 V (1)
b) Write an equation for the reaction taking place in the cell during use.
ü 2 NiOOH + 2 H2O + Cd ® 2 Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2 (1)
c) Write an equation for the reaction taking place in the cell while it is being recharged.
ü 2 Ni(OH)2 + Cd(OH)2 ® 2 NiOOH + 2 H2O + Cd (1)
Area Strength To develop Area Strength To develop Area Strength To develop
Done with care and thoroughness Deduce oxidation states Write cell notations
Good SPG Write half equations Understands standard cell conditions
Explanations are clear Combine half equations Understands inert electrodes
Explanations have sufficient depth Identify redox actions and reagents Understands salt bridge
Group 7 halides + sulfuric acid Write cell reactions
Calculate emf
Understand reactions in rechargeable cells
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