Materials and Methodology

I. Materials

Quantity Material

4pcs Beaker

Couple strips Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, and Iron

Metal

(~0.1 M) HNO3 solution

CuSO4 solution

Zn(NO3)2 solution

Filter Paper with 0.1 M KNO3 solution

1 pc. Multimeter

2-5mL 6 M NH3 solution

2-5mL 0.2 M Na2S solution

4pcs 100-mL volumetric flasks

1pc 1mL pipet

Deionized water

II. Methodology

A. Reduction Potentials of Several Redox Couples

1. Collection of the electrodes, solutions, and equipment.

Four small (~50 mL) beakers were obtained and filled with three-fourths

full of the 0.1 M solutions. Strips of copper, zinc, magnesium, and iron metal

were polished with steel wool, rinsed with dilute (~0.1 M) HNO3, and was rinsed
 with deionized water. The polished metals, used as electrodes, were bent to

extend over the lip of their respective beakers.

2. Setting up the copper–zinc cell.

A Cu strip (electrode) was placed in the CuSO4 solution and a Zn strip

(electrode) in the Zn(NO3)2 solution. A piece of filter paper was rolled and

flattened; the filter paper was damped with a 0.1 M KNO3 solution. The ends of

the filter paper were folded and inserted into the solutions in the two beakers; this

served as the salt bridge. The multimeter was set to the 2000-mV range. One

electrode was connected to the negative terminal of the multimeter and the other

to the positive terminal.

3. Determining the copper–zinc cell potential.

The connections to the electrodes were reversed when the multimeter read

a negative potential. The (positive) cell potential were read and recorded. The

metal strips that serve as the cathode (positive terminal) and the anode were

identified. An equation for the half-reaction occurring at each electrode were

written and the two half-reactions were combined to write the equation for the cell

reaction.

4. Repeat for the remaining cells.

The cell potentials were determined for all possible galvanic cells that can

be constructed from the four redox couples. A new salt bridge was prepared for

each galvanic cell.

5. Determining the relative reduction potentials.

 The reduction potential of the Zn2+(0.1 M)/Zn redox couple was assumed -

0.79 V, and the reduction potentials of all other redox couples were calculated.

6. Determining the reduction potential of the unknown redox couple.

A 0.1 M solution together with the electrode obtained from the instructor

was placed in a small beaker. The reduction potential, relative to the Zn2+(0.1

M)/Zn redox couple was determined for the unknown redox couple.

B. Effect of Concentration Changes on Cell Potential

1. Effect of different molar concentrations.

The galvanic cell was set up using 1 M CuSO4 and 0.001 M CuSO4

solutions. A polished copper electrode was immersed in each solution. A salt

bridge was prepared to connect the two half-cells. The cell potential was

measured. The anode and the cathode were also determined. Lastly, an equation

was written for the reaction occurring at each electrode.

2. Effect of complex formation.

2–5 mL of 6 M NH3 was added to the 0.001 M CuSO4 solution until any

precipitate redissolves. Changes in the half-cell and the cell potential were

observed and recorded.

3. Effect of precipitate formation.

2–5 mL of 0.2 M Na2S was added to the 0.001 M CuSO4 solution that

contains the added NH3. What happened to the cell potential and half-cell were

observed and recorded.

C. The Nernst Equation and an Unknown Concentration

1. Preparation of the diluted solutions.

 Solutions were prepared using a 1-mL pipet and 100-mL volumetric

flasks. The pipet was rinsed with more concentrated solution before making the

transfer. Deionized water was used for the dilution to the mark in the volumetric

flasks. The molar concentration of the Cu2+ ion was calculated for each solution

and was recorded.

2. Measuring and calculating the cell potential for solution 4.

The experiment was set up using small (~50 mL) beakers. The reference

half-cell for this part of the experiment was the Zn2+/Zn redox couple. The two

half-cells were connected with a new salt bridge. The multimeter was reset to the

lowest range (~200 mV). The electrodes were connected to the multimeter and the

potential difference, Ecell, expt was recorded. The theoretical cell potential Ecell, calc.

(Using a table of standard reduction potentials and the Nernst equation) was

calculated.

3. Measuring and calculating the cell potentials for solutions 3 and 2.

Part C.2 with solutions 3 and 2 were repeated respectively. For each cell, a

salt bridge was also prepared.

4. Plotting the data.

Ecell, expt and Ecell, calc (ordinate) were plotted versus pCu (abscissa) by using

appropriate software for the four concentrations of CuSO4.

5. Determining the concentration of the unknown.

A CuSO4 solution was obtained with an unknown copper ion

concentration from the instructor and was set up like a galvanic cell. Ecell was
determined as in Part C.2. The unknown copper(II) ion concentration in the

solution was determined using the graph.