CHEMISTRY 103B

Problem Set 9: 13 Points

Answer Key

Problem 1. (four points) This problem deals with the battery (Galvanic cell) shown in the
diagram below.

The left compartment contains a water solution of silver(I) ion in

contact with a silver metal electrode. The right compartment contains
a water solution of thallium(III) ion in contact with a thallium metal
electrode. The negative spectator ion is nitrate in both cases.
(a) What is the standard voltage (i.e., the voltage of the spontaneous
reaction) of this cell? A table of standard reduction potentials is at the
end of this problem set.
Ecell Ereduction Eoxidation (1.25V ) (0.80V ) 0.45V
(b) Which metal electrode is the anode?
The oxidation half-reaction is Ag(s) Ag+(aq) + e-. Silver is the anode.
(c) To which electrode, i.e. to which metal, do the electrons flow?
Electrons flow from the silver (undergoes oxidation) to the thallium.
(d) To which electrode, i.e. to which metal, do the nitrate ions migrate?
The anions (negative: nitrate) migrate to the anode,

silver.

Problem 2. (three points) Use the table of standard reduction potentials at the end of this
problem set to find the standard voltages of the following electron transfer reactions:
(a) The reaction of solid iodine with aluminum metal (both in water) to form aqueous
aluminum ions and iodide ions.
3I2 + 2 Al 6 I- + 2 Al3+
I 2 ( s) 2e 2 I (aq ), Ereduction 0.54V
Al ( s) Al 3 (aq ) 3e , Eoxidation 1.66V
Ecell (0.54) (1.66) 2.20V
(b) The reaction of aqueous iron(III) with aqueous bromide to produce liquid bromine and
aqueous iron(II).
2 Fe3+(aq) + 2 Br-(aq) 2 Fe2+(aq) + Br2(l)
Fe3 e Fe 2 , Ereduction 0.77V
2 Br Br2 2e , Eoxidation 1.06V
Ecell (0.77) (1.06) 0.29V
(c) The reaction of aqueous silver ion with lead metal to form silver metal and aqueous
lead(II) ion.
2Ag+(aq) + Pb(s) 2Ag(s) + Pb2+(aq)
Ag e Ag , Ereduction 0.80V
Pb Pb 2 2e , Eoxidation 0.13V
Ecell (0.80) (0.13) 0.93V

Problem 3. (three points) This is a multiple choice question based on the interpretation of
the table of standard reduction potentials. More than one choice may be correct; be sure
to check all the correct answers on d2l.
(a) Which of the following can reduce aqueous silver ion to silver metal?
Br-(aq)

NO3-(aq)

F-(aq)

Zn2+(aq)

Zn(s)

Cu2+(aq)

Sn(s)

H2(g)

Br2(l)

Cu(s)

(b) Which of the following can oxidize iodide ion to solid iodine?
Na+(aq)

Cl2(g)

Fe2+(aq)

H2(g)

Al(s)

Al3+(aq)

(c) Which of the following metals can reduce water to hydrogen gas?
silver

copper

tin

magnesiu
m

iron

zinc

sodiu
m

gold

Problem 4.(three points) A watch battery contains a 1.0 g metal anode. Assuming the
battery produces a current of 0.00020 A to run the watch, for how many days will the
watch run if the anode is
(a) zinc

(b) lithium

(c) lead

Important points: 1 A is a current of 1 C/s, therefore 0.00020 A represents 0.00020 C/s.

The charge of 1 mole of electrons is -1 Faraday or -96500 C. One mole of zinc and one
mole of lead each produce 2 moles of electrons. One mole of lithium produces 1 mole of
electrons.
Zn Zn2+ + 2e
Pb Pb2+ + 2 e
Li Li+ + e
(a) 1.0 g of zinc is 1.0/65.4 = 0.015 mol. It will produce 2 x 0.015 = 0.030 mol of
electrons. The time needed to transfer the electrons at the rate of 0.00020 C/s is

0.030mol

96500C
1s
1hr
1day

168days
1mol
0.00020C 3600 s 24hr

(b) 1.0 g of lead is 1.0/207.2 = 0.0048 mol. It will produce 2 x 0.0048 = 0.0096 mol of
electrons. The time needed to transfer the electrons at the rate of 0.00020 C/s is

0.0096mol

96500C
1s
1hr
1day

54days
1mol
0.00020C 3600 s 24hr

(c) 1.0 g of lithium is 1.0/6.94 = 0.144 mol. It will produce 0.144 mol of electrons. The
time needed to transfer the electrons at the rate of 0.00020 C/s is

0.144mol

96500C
1s
1hr
1day

804days
1mol
0.00020C 3600 s 24hr