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Ch.20 - Electrochemistry
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.20 - ElectrochemistryProblem 103
Chapter 20, Problem 103

Using data from Appendix E, calculate the equilibrium constant for the disproportionation of the copper(I) ion at room temperature: 2 Cu+(aq) ⇌ Cu2+(aq) + Cu(s).

Verified step by step guidance
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Identify the half-reactions involved in the disproportionation of Cu^+ ions. The two half-reactions are: Cu^+ -> Cu^2+ + e^- and Cu^+ + e^- -> Cu(s).
Look up the standard reduction potentials (E°) for each half-reaction from Appendix E. The standard reduction potential for Cu^2+ + e^- -> Cu^+ is E°1, and for Cu^+ + e^- -> Cu(s) is E°2.
Calculate the standard cell potential (E°cell) for the overall reaction by subtracting the standard reduction potential of the oxidation half-reaction from the reduction half-reaction: E°cell = E°1 - E°2.
Use the Nernst equation to relate the standard cell potential to the equilibrium constant (K). The equation is: E°cell = (RT/nF) * ln(K), where R is the gas constant, T is the temperature in Kelvin, n is the number of moles of electrons transferred, and F is Faraday's constant.
Rearrange the Nernst equation to solve for the equilibrium constant (K): K = exp((nF * E°cell) / (RT)). Substitute the known values to find K.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant (K) is a numerical value that expresses the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given chemical reaction. It is calculated using the formula K = [products]/[reactants], where the concentrations are raised to the power of their coefficients in the balanced equation. A larger K value indicates a greater extent of reaction towards products, while a smaller K suggests a preference for reactants.
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Disproportionation Reaction

A disproportionation reaction is a specific type of redox reaction in which a single substance is simultaneously oxidized and reduced, resulting in two different products. In the case of copper(I) ions, two Cu<sup>+</sup> ions react to form one Cu<sup>2+</sup> ion and solid copper (Cu). Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing the changes in oxidation states and the stoichiometry of the reaction.
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Standard Reduction Potentials

Standard reduction potentials (E°) are values that indicate the tendency of a chemical species to gain electrons and be reduced, measured under standard conditions. These potentials are essential for calculating the equilibrium constant using the Nernst equation or the relationship between Gibbs free energy and K. For the copper(I) and copper(II) ions, knowing their standard reduction potentials allows for the determination of the overall cell potential and the direction of the reaction.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

A voltaic cell is constructed that uses the following half-cell reactions:

Cu+(aq) + e- → Cu(s)

I2(s) + 2 e- → 2 I-(aq)

The cell is operated at 298 K with [Cu+] = 0.25 M and [I-] = 0.035 M.

(a) Determine E for the cell at these concentrations.

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Textbook Question

A voltaic cell is constructed that uses the following half-cell reactions:

Cu+(aq) + e- → Cu(s)

I2(s) + 2 e- → 2 I-(aq)

The cell is operated at 298 K with [Cu+] = 0.25 M and [I-] = 0.035 M.

(b) Which electrode is the anode of the cell?

(c) Is the answer to part (b) the same as it would be if the cell were operated under standard conditions?

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Textbook Question
(b) Given the following reduction potentials, calculate the standard emf of the cell: Cd1OH221s2 + 2 e- ¡ Cd1s2 + 2 OH-1aq2 E°red = -0.76 V NiO1OH21s2 + H2O1l2 + e- ¡ Ni1OH221s2 + OH-1aq2 E°red = +0.49 V
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Textbook Question

The capacity of batteries such as the typical AA alkaline battery is expressed in units of milliamp-hours (mAh). An AA alkaline battery yields a nominal capacity of 2850 mAh. (b) The starting voltage of a fresh alkaline battery is 1.55 V. The voltage decreases during discharge and is 0.80 V when the battery has delivered its rated capacity. If we assume that the voltage declines linearly as current is withdrawn, estimate the total maximum electrical work the battery could perform during discharge.

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