CHUA, JOHN JOSEPH | 2014-30936

Chem 26.1

Calculations

Evoltmeter =E cathode Ereference

Zn Error=

1.41+0.76
100=153.9
1.41

Zn :1.07=ECathode 0.34=1.41
3+ Error=
3+=0.73
Fe
Br 2=0.4
I 2 =0.5 4
Error=

TheoreticalExpe rimental
100
Theoretical

Br 2 Error=

I 2 Error=

0.770.73
100=5.2
0.77
Fe

1.070.4
100=62.6
1.07

0.540.51
100=5.6
0.54

ATQ
1. Discuss the differences between galvanic and electrolytic cells.
a. Generally, galvanic cells are spontaneous whereas electrolytic cells are
non-spontaneous. The electron flow of the former is from anode to
cathode, whereas the latter is from cathode to anode. In the
experiment, the electrolytic cell only used one container; the galvanic
cell used two containers.
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?
a. Since Copper is the reference electrode for the whole experiment and
it is placed in the anode, the formula Ecell=Ecathode-Eanode can be
manipulated to an equation wherein the E cathode is isolated, i.e.
Ecathode=Ecell+Eanode. Eanode is a known value; 0.34 V, from the Ecell of Cu
with respect to SHE. Therefore, by adding this value to the Voltmeter
reading the Ecathode can be identified. The Ecathode is actually the Ered of
the half-cells.
3. Compare the calculated Ered for each half-cell with their literature value.
a.
Half Cell
Ecell Experimental
Ecell Theoretical
Zn2+|Zn
1.41 V
-0.76 V
3+
2+
Fe |Fe |C
0.73 V
0.77 V
Br-|Br2|C
0.4 V
1.07 V
I-|I2|C
0.51 V
0.54 V
4. Based on your observations, what are the half reactions which occur at the
anode and cathode during the electrolysis?
a. The half reactions that occur in electrolysis are respectively:
i. Anode
1. 2A- A2 + 2e- wherein A is either Bromine or Iodine, in
the experiment
ii. Cathode
1. 2e- + 2H2O 2OH- + H2 as no other species are present
5. Based on calculated values, what are the most effective reducing and
oxidizing agents?
a. On the theoretical values, the increasing trend of Reduction potential is
as follows:
i. Br2>I2>Fe3+>Zn2+ which also indicates the Oxidizing strength;
therefore the most effective oxidizing agent is Bromine, and the
most effective reducing agent is Zinc.
ii. Although, the experiment indicated the increasing trend of
Reduction potential is as follows: Zn 2+> Fe3+> I2>Br2. The
experimental results are the inverse of what should have been
the theoretical results, which indicate error in the
experimentation.
6. Are values of the standard reduction potentials helpful in determining the
spontaneity of a reaction?

a. Since the spontaneity of a reaction is given by the negative change in

Gibbs Free energy, the Eocell should be positive. Because the standard
reduction potential are elements of the Eocell computation, i.e. Eocell =
Eocathode- Eoanode, the standard reduction potentials are the ones that
determine the spontaneity of the overall cell reaction. The values for
the standard reduction potentials are used to manipulate the cell
reaction to a spontaneous one.
7. What are the possible sources of errors and their effect on the calculated
parameters? Rationalize.
a. Besides the errors in solution preparation, the placement of the
electrodes whether it should be at the negative side or the positive
side. For example, the inversion of the results in the experiment with
respect to the theoretical values may be a result of the inversely
placed electrodes in the setup. Instrumental error such as the
voltmeter may cause an error in the calculated parameters. Since the
Standard Reduction Value is temperature, concentration and pressure
dependent, environmental factors and assumptions can contribute to
the errors, which range from 5-150% deviations.
SOURCES
http://g.web.umkc.edu/gounevt/Weblec212Silb/L36(21.3).pdf
http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/evaluation/chem3202/standardreductionpotentials.
pdf