Electrochemical Cells Lab

AP Chemistry

Sarah Hutfilz

09/09/15

Table of Contents
Electrochemical Cells Lab Report-09/09/15
Title Page.1
Table of Contents.2
Prelab Questions..3
Data..3
Analysis/Conclusion4
Postlab Questions.5

Prelab Questions
The following data were measured using a nickel electrode as the reference standard
Potential, volts
Cu+2(aq)+2e-Cu(s)

+0.62

Ni+2(aq)+2e-Ni(s)

+0.00

Fe+2(aq)+2e-Fe(s)

-0.15

Al+3(aq)+3e-Al(s)

-1.38

1. Which ion is most easily reduced?

Cu+2
2. Which metal is most easily oxidized?
Al+3
3. The copper and aluminum electrodes are connected to form a battery.
a. Which is the anode?
Aluminum
b. Which is oxidized?
Aluminum
c. What will be the battery voltage?
2V
d. Write a balanced net ionic equation for the reaction that takes place.
3Cu+2(aq)+2Al(s)3Cu(s)+2Al+3(aq)
4. A solution is prepared in which a trace or small amount of Fe+2 is added to a much
larger amount of solution in which the [OH-] is 1.0*10-2M. Some Fe(OH)2
precipitates. The value of Ksp for Fe(OH)2=8.0*10-10.
a. Assuming the hydroxide concentration is 1.0*10-2M, calculate the
concentration of Fe+2 ions in the solution.
b. A battery is prepared using the above solution with an iron wire dipping into it
as one half-cell. The other half-cell is the standard nickel electrode. Write the
balanced net ionic equation for the cell reaction.
c. Use the Nernst equation to calculate the potential of the above cell.
Data
Part 1 Data Tables
Voltage of each half-cell versus the zinc electrode

Zn versus Ag

Voltage
1.21 V

Anode
Zn
3

Cathode
Ag

Zn versus Cu
0.77 V
Zn versus Fe
0.63 V
Zn versus Mg
0.72 V
Zn versus Pb
0.33 V
Predicted and Measured Cell Potentials

Anode
Cu+2

Cathode
Fe+3

Fe+3
Pb+2
Pb+2
Cu+2

Ag+
Ag+
Cu+2
Ag+

Zn
Zn
Mg
Zn

Equation for the Cell

Reaction
2Fe+3+Cu(s)Cu+2+2Fe+
2
Ag++Fe+2Ag(s)+Fe+3
Pb(s)+2Ag+2Ag(s)+Pb+2
Pb(s)+Cu+2Cu(s)+Pb+2
Cu(s)+2Ag+2Ag(s)+Cu+2

Cu
Fe
Zn
Pb
Predicted
Potential from
Experimented
Data
2.53 V

Measured
Potential
0.43 V

2.07 V
0.93 V
0.47 V
0.46 V

0.45 V
0.89 V
0.51 V
1.42 V

Analysis/Conclusion
1. Write all the reduction equations for each metal ion.
Ag+ +e-Ag(s)
Fe+3+e-Fe+2
Cu+2+2e-Cu(s)
Pb+2+2e-Pb(s)
Zn+2+2e-Zn(s)
Mg+2+2e-Mg(s)
2. Calculate cell potentials.
Zn versus Ag= 0.80-(-0.76)=1.56
(actual 1.21)
Zn versus Cu= 0.34-(-0.76)=1.1
(actual 0.77)
Zn versus Fe= 0.77-(-0.76)=1.53
(actual 0.63)
Zn versus Mg= -0.76-(-2.37)=1.61
(actual 0.72)
Zn versus Pb= -0.13-(-0.76)=0.63
(actual 0.33)
Cu versus Fe= 0.77-0.34=0.43
(actual 0.43)
Ag versus Fe= 0.80-0.77=0.03
(actual 0.45)
Pb versus Ag= 0.80-(-0.13)=0.93
(actual 0.89)
Pb versus Cu= 0.34-(-0.13)=0.47
(actual 0.51)
Cu versus Ag= 0.80-0.34=0.46
(actual 0.42)
3. Compare calculated values to measured values.
Calculated (respectively)
Measured (respectively)
1.56 V
1.21 V
1.1 V
0.77 V
1.53 V
0.63 V
1.61 V
0.72 V
0.63 V
0.33 V
4

0.43 V
0.43 V
0.03 V
0.45 V
0.93 V
0.89 V
0.47 V
0.51 V
0.46 V
0.42 V
4. Compare dilute Cu+2 cell to a standard cell.
I did this part of the lab, but I did not write down any data and I dont know why.
Postlab Questions
1. What is an electrode potential?
The potential of a cell consisting of the electrode in question acting as a cathode and the
standard hydrogen electrode acting as an anode
2. Did the ranking of reduction equations agree with that in a published chart of E values?
Yes
3. How should the values found using the zinc electrode as a standard compare with those in
the E table that are based on the standard hydrogen electrode? Did they?
They should all be greater values than what they were originally. However, none of the
equations except one was greater than what the original calculated value would indicate.
4. What factors can cause a difference between experimental and reported values?
A wrong calibration curve.
5. What does a negative value for a standard potential value indicate?
The reaction is not spontaneous.
6. How did the change in concentration of the copper ions in Part 2 affect the cell potential?
Is this change in agreement (qualitatively) with that which would be predicted by
LeChtliers Principle? Did the calculated and measured values agree?
7. Explain how the AgCl solubility product was determined.