UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Centre : Centre for Foundation Studies Course Code : FHSC1114

Programme : Foundation In Science Course Title : Physical Chemistry
Y/T : Year 1 Trimester 1 Session : 2018/05
Lecturers : Ms. Amelia Chiang, Ms. Jamie Anne, Mr. Law Soon Pin, Ms. Lily Lee Pei Lin,
Mr. Ng SK, Ms. Nur Shazwani, Ms. Precilla, Ms. Rachel Tham,
Ms. Rajalakshmi, Ms. Sharifah Edayu, Mr. Sree Amertharaj, Ms. Subhashini,
Ms. Tan GL, Ms. Tan LS

Tutorial 12: Topic 9 (Electrochemistry)

1. A standard electrochemical cell at 25 °C is made by dipping a silver electrode into a
1.0 mol dm‾3 Ag+(aq) solution and a lead electrode into a 1.0 mol dm‾3 Pb2+(aq)
solution.

(a) Write the cell diagram for the electrochemical cell.

(b) Determine the standard e.m.f. of the cell. (Ans: Ecell = +0.93V)

(c) Calculate the cell potential for the cell if the concentration of Ag+ and Pb2+ are
2.0 mol dm‾3 and 0.5 mol dm‾3 respectively at 25 °C. (Ans: Ecell = +0.96V)

2. An electrochemical cell is constructed at 25 C as follows:

Sn2+(aq) + 2 Tl(s) → Sn(s) + 2 Tl+(aq)

The concentration of Sn2+ is 0.15 M and a voltage of 0.25 V is measured under this
condition.

(a) Write equations for the half reaction that is occurring at the anode and cathode
and the net ionic equation.

(b) Determine the concentration of Tl+. (Ans: [Tl ]  0.055 M )

3. Determine the standard free energy change, G for the equation below if the reaction
has a standard cell potential, Ecell of +1.41 V.

2 Al(s) + 3 Ni2+(aq)  2 Al3+(aq) + 3 Ni(s)

State if the reaction is a spontaneous or non-spontaneous reaction and identify the

type of electrochemical cell described. (Ans: ‒816 390 J)
[Dec 2016]
4. The standard reduction electrode potentials of several half-cells are given as below:

E° (Ag+/ Ag) = +0.80 V

E° (H2O2/ H2O) = +1.77 V
E° (Cl2/ Cl‾) = +1.36 V
E° (Mg2+/ Mg) = –2.37 V
E° (S4O62‾/ S2O32‾) = +0.08 V

Identify:

(a) the strongest oxidant

(b) the strongest reductant

(c) the anion which is the weakest oxidant

5. During an electroplating process which makes use of chromium(III) ion, a metal is

plated with chromium. The thickness of chromium layer on the metal is 0.01 cm.
Given the area of the metal is 300 cm2, the electric current used is 1.2 A and density
of chromium is 6.25 g cm3.

(a) Calculate the number of mole of chromium formed after the electroplating
process. (Ans: 0.3606 mol)

(b) Calculate the time (in hour) required for the above process. (Ans: 24.17 hour)
[Apr 2012]

6. A solution containing cobalt in an unknown oxidation state was electrolyzed with a

charge of 14475 C. At the end of the electrolysis, 2.95 g of cobalt was deposited on
the cathode. Determine the original oxidation state of the cobalt ion. (Ans: +3)
[Sept 2013]

Appendix:

1. Faraday constant, F = 96 500 C/ mol e‾

2. Standard reduction potentials, E (V)

Half-reaction E (V)
Pb (aq) + 2e‾ → Pb(s)
2+
–0.13
Sn2+(aq) + 2 e  Sn(s) 0.14
Tl+(aq) + e  Tl(s) –0.34
Ag+(aq) + 2e‾ → Ag(s) +0.80
 Half-reaction E (V)
Pb (aq) + 2e‾ → Pb(s)
2+
–0.13
Sn2+(aq) + 2 e  Sn(s) 0.14
Tl+(aq) + e  Tl(s) –0.34
Ag+(aq) + 2e‾ → Ag(s) +0.80