

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T
HE potential difference between two electrodes of a galvanic cell is called
Cell Potential and is measured in volts. It is the difference between the
reduction potentials (or oxidation potentials) of the cathode and anode. When
no current is drawn from the cell it is called electromotive force (emf) of the cell.

Ecell = Ecathode – Eanode

The potential of individual half-cells cannot be measured. We can measure

only the difference between the two half-cell potentials that gives the emf of the
cell. According to convention, standard hydrogen electrode represented by
+
Pt, H2 (g, 1 bar)/H (aq, 1M) is assigned zero potential at all temperatures
corresponding to the reaction.
1
+ –
H (aq) + e → H (g)
2 2
Half cell potentials are measured with respect to standard hydrogen electrode.
A cell is constructed by taking standard hydrogen electrode as anode
(reference half cell) and under standard conditions of which cell potential is to be
measured, is made cathode the other half cell. Then the cell potential is equal to
the standard electrode potential of the other half cell.
  
Ecell = Ecathode because Eanode = 0
Nernst showed that electrode potential of a cell with respect to standard
hydrogen electrode can be measured at any concentration. For the electrode
reaction of the type:
n+ −
M (aq ) + ne → M(s)
The electrode potential at any concentration measured with respect to
standard hydrogen electrode can be represented by:

 RT [M]
E n+ =E n+ − ln n+
M /M M /M nF [M ]
the concentration of solid M is taken as unity and we have

 RT 1
E n+ =E n+ − ln n+
M /M M /M nF [M ]

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–1 –1
Here R is the gas constant (8.314 JK mol ), F is Faraday
–1 n+
constant (96487C mol ), T is the temperature in Kelvin and [M ]
is the concentration of the species, Mn+ .
In the following experiment the variation in the cell potential
2+ 2+
of Zn/Zn ||Cu /Cu cell with concentration of electrolytes will
be studied.




To study the variation in cell potential of the cell Zn/Zn2+||Cu2+/Cu
with change in concentration of electrolytes (CuSO4/ZnSO4) at room
temperature.


The cell under investigation in this experiment is represented as
follows:
Zn(s)/Zn 2+(aq., 1.0M) || Cu 2+ (aq., x M)/Cu(s)
Here x M denotes varying concentrations of Cu2+(aq) ions. In
other words, to study the variation in cell potential with
concentration, the concentration of Cu2+ (aq.) is varied while that
of Zn2+ (aq) is kept constant. The measured cell potential enables
us to calculate the electrode potential of Cu2+/Cu electrode for
each concentration of copper (II) ions. This variation is theoretically
depicted according to the equation:
 0.059 2+
E 2+
=E 2+
+ log[Cu ] (1)
Cu /Cu Cu /Cu 2
The variation in the electrode potential of Cu2+/Cu electrode
consequently brings variation in the cell potential according to
the relation:

Ecell = E 2+
−E 2+ (2)
Cu /Cu Zn /Zn


Equation (2) clearly suggests that even if EZn2+/Zn is kept

constant, the variation in ECu2 +/Cu would bring corresponding

variation in Ecell (cell potential). Similarly, keeping the concentration
of Cu2+ ions constant, one can study the variations in the cell
potential with the variation in concentration of Zn2+ ions.



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 

• 1.0M Zinc sulphate

• Zinc plate : One
solution : 40mL
• Copper plate : One
• 0.25 M, 0.1M, 0.05M,
• Beaker (50 mL) : Six
0.025 M and 0.0125M
• Voltmeter (Potentiometer) : One
Copper sulphate
• Salt bridge : One
solutions : 40 mL each

Fig. 4.1 : Set up of Zn(s)/Zn2+(aq.), (1.0M) || Cu2+ (aq., xM)/Cu(s) cell


(i) Set up the cell as given in Fig. 4.1, using 1.0 M ZnSO4 and
0.2 M CuSO4 solution.
(ii) Measure the potential difference of the cell and also keep
record of the polarity of the electrodes (this will enable us to
give a sign to the cell potential ECell).
(iii) Remove the salt bridge as soon as the cell potential
measurement is over.
(iv) Replace the beaker of 0.2 M CuSO4 with 0.1 M CuSO4
solution in the beaker. Place the salt bridge in position and
note the cell potential.
(v) Repeat this procedure for other solutions of copper
sulphate in decreasing order of concentrations of copper
sulphate solution.

(vi) Calculate log [Cu2+(aq)] and then ECu2 +/Cu for each variation
in the concentration of copper (II) in the solution.
(vii) Record electrode potential values of Cu2+(aq)/Cu(s) electrode for
different concentrations of Cu2+ ions as given in Table 4.1.
(viii) Plot a graph for the variation of cell potential with concentration

taking ( ECu2 +/Cu ) on y-axis and log [Cu2+(aq)] on x-axis.



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Table 4.1 : Record of the Cell Potential Data

2+ –1 2+ –1
Sl. No. [Cu (aq)]/mol L log [Cu (aq)]/mol L Ecell/V E(Cu2+/Cu )
Experimental value

1. 0.2
2. 0.1
3. 0.05
4. 0.025
5. 0.0125



Write conclusion on the basis of data obtained.



(a) Clean copper and zinc strips and connecting wires with sand paper before use.
(b) Place the salt bridge immediately in distilled water after its use.
(c) Carry out dilution of the solution to another concentration very carefully.
(d) Choose appropriate scales for plotting the graph.



(i) For the reaction given below, apply Le-Chatelier principle to justify the results recorded by
you and also bring out mathematical rationalisation of your results.

Zn(s) + Cu2+ (aq)  Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s),

(ii) Determine the slope of the graph. Match experimental value with the theoretical value. On
what factors does the value of slope depend?
(iii) Devise another experiment to study the variation in cell potential with concentration of one
of the ions involved in a cell reaction.
(iv) What factor is kept in mind while selecting an electrolytic solution for the construction of a
salt bridge?
(v) Is it possible to measure the single electrode potential?



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