Standard Cell Potentials, EE or õe The cell potential is a measure of the driving force - or spontaneity - of a chemical reaction.

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Clara Perry
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1 Standard Cell Potentials, EE or õe The cell potential is a measure of the driving force - or spontaneity - of a chemical reaction. Our STANDARD conditions are the same as we saw in Thermodynamics, Solutes 1 M, gases 1 atm, pure liquid or solids. We cannot measure potentials of individual half-cells, we can only measure the potential of two half cells coupled together. We would like to know the potentials of standard half-cells - and we can get them by arbitrarily assigning a voltage of 0 to a Standard Hydrogen Electrode, then measure/report all voltages of all other standard half-cells relative to that. i.e. we assign a voltage of to the reduction reaction 2H + (aq) + 2e - 6 H 2 (g), EE = v 20-1

2 Now look back at the Standard Zn/Zn 2+ (aq) and H 2 (g)/h + (aq) Cell Zn(s) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e V =? 2e + 2H + (aq) 6 H 2 (g) V = 0.00 Zn(s) + 2H + (aq) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + H 2 (g) V = 0.76 so we can deduce that Zn(s) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e V = V CONVENTION: Always report half-cell potentials in the form: Ox + ne - 6 Red i.e. we have Standard Reduction Potentials If we Reverse a half-cell, we change the SIGN of the voltage. Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Zn(s), EE = V All 1M 20-2

Now look back at the Standard Zn/Zn 2+ (aq) and Cu(s)/Cu 2+ (aq) Cell Zn(s) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e - EE = + 0.76 V 2e - + Cu 2+ (aq) 6 Cu(s) EE =?

3 Now look back at the Standard Zn/Zn 2+ (aq) and Cu(s)/Cu 2+ (aq) Cell Zn(s) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e - EE = V 2e - + Cu 2+ (aq) 6 Cu(s) EE =?? Zn(s) + Cu 2+ (aq) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + Cu(s) EE = V by subtraction we obtain Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Cu(s) EE = V Daniell Cell By proceeding in this way we can build up a Table of Standard Reduction Potentials VERY USEFUL!!! 20-3

4 Best oxidizing agent Sample of a Standard Reduction Potential Table Ox + ne - 6 Red F 2 (g) + 2e - 6 2F - (aq) CR 2 (g) + 2e - 6 2CR - (aq) Au 3+ (aq) + 3e - 6 Au(s) Ag + (aq) + e - 6 Ag(s) Fe 3+ (aq) + e - 6 Fe 2+ (aq) Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Cu(s) H + (aq) + 2e - 6 H 2 (g) Sn 4+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Sn 2+ (aq) Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Zn(s) Na + (aq) + e - 6 Na(s) Li + (aq) + e - 6 Li(s) Best reducing agent 20-4

F 2 (g) is the BEST oxidizing agent (and the most easily reduced) + SRP s Best oxidizing agent Worst reducing agent Li + (aq) is the WORST oxidizing agent (and the most difficult to

5 F 2 (g) is the BEST oxidizing agent (and the most easily reduced) + SRP s Best oxidizing agent Worst reducing agent Li + (aq) is the WORST oxidizing agent (and the most difficult to reduce) Li(s) is the BEST reducing agent (and the most easily oxidized) - Worst oxidizing agent Best reducing agent F - (aq) is the WORST reducing agent (and the most difficult to oxidize) 20-5

6 Example 1. Mg e Mg 2. Zn e Zn 3. Sn e Sn Ag + + e Ag E Strongest reducing agent Strongest oxidizing agent We will combine these together to see what reacts with what the half cell with the more -ve E will be the anode the half cell with the more +ve E will be the cathode E (cell) = E (cat) - E (an) 20-6

7 1 and 4 1 Mg e Mg the half cell with the more -ve E will be the anode 4 Ag + + e Ag So reverse 1 (scale) and add up Mg Mg e 2Ag + + 2e 2Ag Mg + 2Ag + Mg Ag E = = Magnesium metal reduces silver 20-7

8 How do we obtain Standard Cell Potentials from Standard Reduction Potentials? What would the Standard Cell Potential be for a Cu Cu 2+ and Zn Zn 2+ cell? Step 1. Write out the two S.R.P. equations: Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Zn(s) Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Cu(s) Step 2. The half-reaction with the more positive half-cell potential goes as written and the other half-cell is driven in the reverse direction. Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Cu(s) Zn(s) 6 Zn 2+ (aq) + 2e Step 3. Are the electrons balanced? Step 4. Now add Cu 2+ (aq) + Zn(s) 6 Cu(s) + Zn 2+ (aq) EE = 1.10V Self-check: can you write out the cell? 20-8

9 Comments: Note that the EE value is POSITIVE, i.e. the reaction is spontaneous as we have written it (under Standard Conditions). Which is the Anode, which is the Cathode? Now look at the Ni Ni 2+ (aq) and Ag Ag + (aq) cell. What is the spontaneous cell reaction, anode, cathode, EE? Step 1. Get SRPs from Tables Ni 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Ni(s) Ag + (aq) + e - 6 Ag(s) Does anything strike you as odd about this?? Step 2: More +ve goes as written, other in reverse Ag + (aq) + e - 6 Ag(s) Ni(s) 6 Ni 2+ (aq) + 2e Step 3. Get electrons to balance: 2Ag + (aq) + 2e - 6 2Ag(s) Ni(s) 6 Ni 2+ (aq) + 2e Step 4. Now add 2Ag + (aq) + Ni(s) 6 2Ag(s) Ni 2+ (aq) EE = V YES!! Although we multiplied the coefficients in the Silver half-cell by 2, we did NOT double the half-cell voltage. Why NOT?? 20-9

10 Compare (1). Ag + (aq) + e - 6 Ag(s) (2). 2Ag + (aq) + 2e - 6 2Ag(s) The energy released by (2) is certainly twice that of (1), but remember that Voltage = Joules/Coulombs (energy per coulomb of charge transferred) Equation (2) involves twice the energy, but it also involves twice the coulombs - so the VOLTAGE does not change. An Intensive property. Bottom line: when scaling do not scale the voltage Batteries do not give out more volts if you make them bigger -they just last longer

11 example Would the reaction :- AR 3+ (aq) + Mg(s) 6 AR(s) + Mg 2+ (aq) go as written under Standard Conditions, or would the reverse reaction occur? Step 1. Get SRP equations: Mg 2+ (aq) + 2e - 6 Mg(s) AR 3+ (aq) + 3e - 6 AR Step 2. More positive goes as written, reverse the other: AR 3+ (aq) + 3e - 6 AR Mg(s) 6 Mg 2+ (aq) + 2e Step 3. balance electrons, leave EE alone! 2AR 3+ (aq) + 6e - 6 2AR Mg(s) 6 3Mg 2+ (aq) + 6e Step 4. Now add: 2AR 3+ (aq) + 3Mg(s) 6 2AR(s) + 3Mg 2+ (aq) EE = 0.71 V and so is spontaneous as written 20-11

Homework With access to an SRP table, deduce what reaction (if any) will occur when:- (a) Metallic Sn is added to (i) 1 M HCR solution (ii) an aqueous solution of Cl 2 (b) A solution of 1.

12 Homework With access to an SRP table, deduce what reaction (if any) will occur when:- (a) Metallic Sn is added to (i) 1 M HCR solution (ii) an aqueous solution of Cl 2 (b) A solution of 1.0 M Sn 2+ is treated with (i) metallic Zn (ii) FeCR 3 solution (c) A solution of 1.0 M Sn 4+ is treated with (i) metallic Zn (ii) an aqueous solution of Cl 2 Solution at front of next lecture: do not work from the answer 20-12

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