1. Electrode Potentials

2. Some elements lose electrons more easily than others
The essence of an electrochemical cell is to carry out a redox reaction and keep the oxidation and reduction parts separate

3. A Daniell Cell – (electrochemical)

4. Daniell cell showing voltage – 1.1V

5. A standard hydrogen electrode

6. Measuring the standard electrode potential of a metal

7. Measuring the standard electrode potential of magnesium

8. How to use electrode potentials
Values and signs allow prediction of spontaneous reaction
E.g. will zinc react with Cu2+ spontaneously?

9. This diagram will predict the direction of spontaneous reaction given electrode potentials-
Electrode potential scale – note sign + A C T U L A C T U L
Cu2+ +
2e- Cu
Zn2+ +
2e- Zn
Spontaneous reaction

10. Consider the following and reach a conclusion
Cu2+ + e-  Cu
Cu2+ + 2e-  Cu
Cu+ + e-  Cu

11. Cu+ + Cu+  Cu + Cu2+
Disproportionation – simultaneous oxidation and reduction of the same species

12. Application of Electrode Potentials
Give a comparison of the effectiveness of galvanising (zinc plating) and tin plating of steel
Iron reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, copper does not, but copper will react with conc nitric acid

13. Effect of concentration
Treat cell reaction as an equilibrium system:
If change supports/shifts eqm to the right then emf increases & vice versa
Cu2+ + Zn  Zn Cu
Increase [Cu2+] emf increases
Increase [Zn2+] emf decreases

14. Limitations No indication of rate of reaction.
Mixtures which can react may co-exist for long periods due to very slow reaction rate
E.g. H2 & O2 (thermodynamically unstable, kinetically stable)
This is caused by high activation energy

15. Energy profiles/diagrams

16. Limitations Standard electrode potentials refer to standard conditions
Temp and concentrations affect electrode potentials.
Reactions not predicted by electrode potentials can occur under non-standard conditions
E.g. solid K2Cr2O7 and conc HCl

17. Galvanisation – sacraficial anode
Construct the cell reaction for a zinc/iron cell
Construct the cell reaction for a tin/iron cell
Why fix magnesium to the hull of a battleship?