Chemistry

      Q1. In a galvanic cell based on the half reactions Ni²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → Ni(s) E° = -0.250 V 2H⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → H₂ E° = 0.000 V the nickel compartment contains a nickel electrode in a solution where [Ni²⁺] = 1.00 × 10⁻² M, and the hydrogen compartment contains a platinum electrode, P_H₂ = 1.00 atm, and a weak acid, HA, at an initial concentration of 1.00 M. If the observed cell potential is 0.170 V at 25.0 °C, calculate the Ka value for the weak acid. Q2. A voltaic cell using Cu²⁺/Cu and Al³⁺/Al half-cells is set up at standard conditions, and each compartment has a volume of 225 mL. What is the [Al³⁺] after the cell has delivered 0.120 A for 59.0 hours at 25.0 °C? (E° for Cu²⁺/Cu = 0.340 V and E° for Al³⁺/Al = -1.660 V.) Q3. Complete the stepwise process of balancing the following reaction in acidic conditions. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + HNO₂(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) a. The first two steps of balancing a redox reaction are to separate the reaction into half reactions and then balance all atoms EXCEPT H and O. Balance this half reaction for all atoms except H and O. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) → Cr³⁺(aq) b. The first two steps of balancing a redox reaction are to separate the reaction into half reactions and then balance all atoms EXCEPT H and O. Balance this half reaction for all atoms except H and O. HNO₂(aq) → NO₃⁻(aq) c. The third step is to balance the oxygen atoms using water . Balance this half reaction with H₂O. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) → 2 Cr³⁺(aq) + H₂O(l) d. The third step is to balance the oxygen atoms using water . Balance this half reaction with H₂O. HNO₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → NO₃⁻(aq) e. The fourth step is to balance the hydrogen atoms using H⁺. Balance this half reaction with H⁺. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + H⁺→ 2 Cr³⁺(aq) + 7 H₂O(l) f. The fourth step is to balance the hydrogen atoms using H⁺. Balance this half reaction with H⁺. HNO₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → NO₃⁻(aq) + H⁺ g. The fifth step is to balance the charge using electrons. Balance this half reaction with the addition of e⁻. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + 14 H⁺(aq) + e⁻ → 2 Cr³⁺(aq) + 7 H₂O(l) h. The fifth step is to balance the charge using electrons. Balance this half reaction with the addition of e⁻. HNO₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → NO₃⁻(aq) + 3 H⁺(aq) + e⁻ i. The sixth step of balancing redox reactions is to multiply one or both half-reactions so that the number of electrons consumed in one is equal to the number produced in the other. For the two half reactions shown below, how should they be scaled to balance the electrons? Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + 14H⁺ + 6e⁻→ 2Cr³⁺(aq) + 7H₂O(l) HNO₂(aq) + H₂O(l) → NO₃⁻(aq) + 3H⁺ + 2e⁻ j. The last step is to combine the two half reactions (shown below) into one complete reaction. Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + 14H⁺ + 6e⁻→ 2Cr³⁺(aq) + 7H₂O(l) 3HNO₂(aq) + 3H₂O(l) → 3NO₃⁻(aq) + 9H⁺ + 6e⁻  

Sample Solution

   

Q1

To calculate the Ka value for the weak acid, we can use the Nernst equation:

E = E° - (RT/nF) ln(Q)

where:

  • E is the cell potential
  • E° is the standard cell potential
  • R is the gas constant
  • T is the temperature in Kelvin
  • n is the number of electrons transferred in the reaction
  • F is the Faraday constant
  • Q is the reaction quotient

Full Answer Section

   

We know the following values:

  • E = 0.170 V
  • E° = -0.250 V
  • R = 8.314 J/mol·K
  • T = 298.15 K
  • n = 2
  • F = 96,485 C/mol

We can calculate Q by using the concentrations of the nickel and hydrogen ions:

Q = [Ni²⁺] / [H²]²
Q = (1.00 × 10⁻² M) / (1.00 atm)^2
Q = 1.00 × 10⁻² M

Plugging all of the known values into the Nernst equation, we get:

0.170 V = -0.250 V - (8.314 J/mol·K / (2 * 96,485 C/mol)) * (298.15 K) * ln(1.00 × 10⁻² M)
ln(1.00 × 10⁻² M) = -0.792
1.00 × 10⁻² M = e⁻⁰⁷⁹²
Ka = [H⁺]^2 / [HA]
Ka = (e⁻⁰⁷⁹²)^2 / 1.00 M
Ka = 6.31 × 10⁻¹⁶

Therefore, the Ka value for the weak acid is 6.31 × 10⁻¹⁶.

Q2

To calculate the [Al³⁺] after the cell has delivered 0.120 A for 59.0 hours at 25.0 °C, we can use the following equation:

n = tI / F

where:

  • n is the number of moles of electrons transferred
  • t is the time in seconds
  • I is the current in amperes
  • F is the Faraday constant

We need to convert the time from hours to seconds:

59.0 hours * 3600 seconds/hour = 212,400 seconds

Plugging all of the known values into the equation, we get:

n = (212,400 seconds) * (0.120 A) / (96,485 C/mol)
n = 2.60 moles

The following equation shows the balanced half-reactions for the voltaic cell:

Al(s) → Al³⁺(aq) + 3e⁻
Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → Cu(s)

From the balanced half-reactions, we can see that 3 moles of electrons are transferred for every mole of Al(s) that is oxidized. Therefore, 2.60 moles of electrons correspond to the oxidation of 0.867 moles of Al(s).

The initial volume of the Al³⁺ compartment is 225 mL. Therefore, the initial concentration of Al³⁺ is:

[Al³⁺] = 0.867 moles / 0.225 L
[Al³⁺] = 3.86 M

After 0.120 A has been delivered for 59.0 hours, the concentration of Al³⁺ will be:

[Al³⁺] = 3.86 M - 2.60 M
[Al³⁺] = 1.26 M

Therefore, the [Al³⁺] after the cell has delivered 0.120 A for 59.0 hours at 25.0 °C is 1.26 M.

Q3

The balanced reaction in acidic conditions is:

Cr₂O₇²⁻(aq) + 6HNO

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