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Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)

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Question 3

A student measures the cell EMF, EcellE_{\text{cell}}Ecell​, for the electrochemical cell represented by:

Fe(s)∣Fe2+(aq)∣∣Sn2+(aq)∣Sn(s) \text{Fe(s)}|\text{Fe}^{2+}(\text{aq})||\text{Sn}^{2+}(\text{aq})|\text{Sn(s)} Fe(s)∣Fe2+(aq)∣∣Sn2+(aq)∣Sn(s)

at temperature TTT.

The student plots a graph of EcellE_{\text{cell}}Ecell​ against ln⁡([Fe2+][Sn2+])\ln \left( \frac{[\text{Fe}^{2+}]}{[\text{Sn}^{2+}]} \right)ln([Sn2+][Fe2+]​) and draws a line of best fit. Two points on this line of best fit are:

  • (−3.00,0.3375 V)(-3.00, 0.3375\text{ V})(−3.00,0.3375 V)
  • (3.00,0.2625 V)(3.00, 0.2625\text{ V})(3.00,0.2625 V)
a.

Calculate the gradient of this line of best fit. Show your working.

[2]
b.

Use your gradient to calculate the temperature, TTT, in Kelvin, at which these measurements were taken, using the relation:

Ecell=(−4.31×10−5×T)ln⁡([Fe2+][Sn2+])+Ecellθ E_{\text{cell}} = (-4.31 \times 10^{-5} \times T) \ln \left( \frac{[\text{Fe}^{2+}]}{[\text{Sn}^{2+}]} \right) + E^\theta_{\text{cell}} Ecell​=(−4.31×10−5×T)ln([Sn2+][Fe2+]​)+Ecellθ​
[2]
c.

In one specific experiment, where [Sn2+]=1.0 mol dm−3[\text{Sn}^{2+}] = 1.0\text{ mol dm}^{-3}[Sn2+]=1.0 mol dm−3 and [Fe2+]=0.20 mol dm−3[\text{Fe}^{2+}] = 0.20\text{ mol dm}^{-3}[Fe2+]=0.20 mol dm−3, the measured cell EMF is 0.32 V0.32\text{ V}0.32 V. Under these conditions, the electrode potential of the Sn2+/Sn\text{Sn}^{2+}/\text{Sn}Sn2+/Sn electrode is −0.14 V-0.14\text{ V}−0.14 V. Calculate the electrode potential for the Fe2+/Fe\text{Fe}^{2+}/\text{Fe}Fe2+/Fe electrode.

[3]
d.

Give one reason why this calculated value for the electrode potential is different from the standard electrode potential of the Fe2+/Fe\text{Fe}^{2+}/\text{Fe}Fe2+/Fe electrode (−0.44 V-0.44\text{ V}−0.44 V).

[1]

Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only)