DETERMINATION OF ELECTRODE POTENTIALS

R.Y.A. RIVERA
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, COLLEGE OF HOME ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY 1101, PHILIPPINES
DATE SUBMITTED: 23 APRIL 2015
DATE PERFORMED: APRIL 2015

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the differences between galvanic and electrolytic cells.
In an electrolytic cell, an outside source of energy such as battery is required for it to work and the
flow of electrons comes from the cathode to the anode. On the other hand, the reaction in a voltaic
cell occurs simultaneously and the flow of electrons comes from the anode to the cathode.
2. What is the measured value of Ecell for each cell and its relevance to the Ered for the iron
half-cell and halogen half-cells?
3. Compare the calculated Ered for each half-cell with their literature value.
Generally, the calculated Ered values of the half-cells are very close to the book values. Most
of the percent errors calculated were less than 5% meaning, there was only a slight error in the
performed experiment. However, for the half cell Br|Br2 |C, the percent error was 52.32%.
4. Based on your observations, what are the half reactions which occur at the anode and
cathode during the electrolysis?
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5. Based on the calculated values, what are the most effective reducing and oxidizing agent?
Zinc is the reducing agent while copper is the oxidizing agent.
6. Are the values of standard reduction potentials helpful in determining the spontaneity of a
reaction?
Determining the spontaneity of a reaction depended on the values of standard reduction
potentials. This means that the farther the value of the standard reduction potential (SRP) of the
half-cell is from the SRP of copper, the more spontaneous the reaction would be. Individually, the
standard reduction potentials of the half-cells, when at a higher value, also indicate a higher
tendency to be reduced and serve as a cathode in the voltaic cell and as an anode in an electrolytic
cell.

7. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on calculated parameters?
If the multimeter and alligator clips used were not checked before the experiment, wrong reading
values. Also, mistakes in the preparation of solutions can greatly affect the voltage readings.

REFERENCES
Skoog, et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, Eighth edition, 2004