Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!
Multiple Choice
A voltaic cell is constructed with two Zn2+-Zn electrodes, where the half-reaction is Zn2+ + 2e- → Zn(s) with E° = -0.763 V. The concentrations of zinc ion in the two compartments are 5.50 M and 1.11 × 10^-2 M, respectively. What is the cell emf in volts?
A
0.200 V
B
0.100 V
C
0.140 V
D
0.763 V
0 Comments
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the half-reaction for the voltaic cell: Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Zn(s) with a standard electrode potential E° = -0.763 V.
Recognize that the cell is composed of two Zn²⁺/Zn electrodes with different concentrations, making it a concentration cell.
Use the Nernst equation to calculate the cell potential (E) for a concentration cell: E = E° - (RT/nF) * ln(Q), where Q is the reaction quotient.
Since the standard electrode potential (E°) for a concentration cell is zero, simplify the Nernst equation to: E = -(RT/nF) * ln([Zn²⁺]_anode/[Zn²⁺]_cathode).
Substitute the given concentrations into the equation: [Zn²⁺]_anode = 5.50 M and [Zn²⁺]_cathode = 1.11 × 10⁻² M, and solve for E using the values R = 8.314 J/(mol·K), T = 298 K, n = 2, and F = 96485 C/mol.