Unit 8: Electrochemistry Applications Lesson 3: Selecting Preferred Reactions
Selecting Preferred Reactions When several different half-reactions are possible, the half-reaction with the highest reduction potential will occur as reduction, and the half-reaction with the lowest reduction potential will occur as oxidation.
Example An iron strip is placed in a mixture of Br2(aq) and I2(aq). What is the preferred reaction that occurs? Step 1: List all species present. Step 2: Look for the highest species on the left side, and the lowest on the right. Step 3: Add together the half-reactions!
Brain Break! Double Shutter
Your Turn! A beaker contains an iron nail wrapped with both a piece of copper wire and a piece of magnesium ribbon, immersed in an aqueous solution containing CuSO4 and some dissolved Cl2(g). What is the overall preferred reaction? 10 min
Practice: Pg. 228 #47 25 min