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Electrochemistry: Reduction potential application

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Wize High School Grade 12 Chemistry Textbook > Electrochemistry

Reduction Potentials

5 Activities

Wize High School Grade 12 Chemistry Textbook > Electrochemistry

Redox Reactions

7 Activities

Reduction Potentials Application

  • Below we see a diagram showing mitochondrial cellular respiration.
  • If we just consider the electron carrier NADH, NADH molecules gives up their electrons to the first complex, then the electron goes to the 2nd complex, then the 3rd, then the 4th and finally oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.


  • Order NADH, complex 1, complex 2, complex 3, complex 4, and O2 in order of increasing reduction potential:
  • First think: does increasing reduction potential means that it wants electrons more or less?
  • Order:

  • Which one is the strongest reducing agent?
  • Which one is the strongest oxidizing agent?
  • Which one would have the highest reduction potential?
  • Which one would have the highest oxidation potential?
More Reduction Potentials Questions:
Electrochemistry: Reduction potential application
Reduction Potentials Application
Below we see a diagram showing mitochondrial cellular respiration.
If we just consider the electron carrier NADH, NADH molecules gives up their electrons to the first complex, then the electron goes to the 2nd complex, then the 3rd, then the 4th and finally oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.
Electrochemistry: Reduction potential application
Reduction Potentials Application
Below we see a diagram showing mitochondrial cellular respiration.
If we just consider the electron carrier NADH, NADH molecules gives up their electrons to the first complex, then the electron goes to the 2nd complex, then the 3rd, then the 4th and finally oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.
Electrochemistry: Reduction Potentials
Based on the following reduction potentials, which of these species is the strongest reducing agent?
ReactionE°(V)2HCℓO(aq)+2H+(aq)+2e−→Cℓ2(g)+2H2O(ℓ)+1.63Cℓ2(g)+2e−→2Cℓ−(aq)+1.36Br2(ℓ)+2e−→2Br−(aq)+1.08I2(s)+2e−→2I−(aq)+0.535Ag+(aq)+e−→Ag(s)+0.799Sn4+(aq)+2e−→Sn2+(aq)+0.15\def\arraystretch{2} \begin{array}{c|c} \hline \rm Reaction & E° (V) \\ \hline 2 HCℓO (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) + 2 e^− → Cℓ_2 (g) + 2 H_2O (ℓ) & + 1.63 \\ \hline Cℓ_2(g) + 2 e^− → 2 Cℓ^− (aq) &+ 1.36\\ \hline Br_2(ℓ) + 2 e^− → 2 Br^− (aq) & + 1.08\\ \hline I_2 (s) + 2 e^− → 2 I^− (aq) & + 0.535\\ \hline Ag+ (aq) + e^− → Ag (s) &+ 0.799\\ \hline Sn^{4+} (aq) + 2 e^− → Sn^{2+} (aq) &+ 0.15\\ \hline \end{array}
Electrochemical Equilibrium and Cells
Will the following reaction proceed spontaneously or will current need to be added externally?
Cu(s)+Ca(aq)2+→Ca(s)+Cu(aq)2+Cu_{(s)}+Ca^{2+}_{(aq)} \to Ca_{(s)} +Cu^{2+} _{(aq)}
In basic solution Se2- and SO32- ions react spontaneously:
2Se(aq)2−+2SO3(aq)2−+3H2O(l)→2Se(s)+6OH(aq)−+S2O(aq)2−,Ecello=0.35V2Se_{(aq)}^{2-}+2SO_{3(aq)}^{2-}+3H_2O_{(l)} \to 2Se_{(s)}+6OH_{(aq)}^-+S_2O^{2-}_{(aq)}, E^o_{cell}=0.35V
Write balanced half reactions for this process
(Duplicated)
Use the standard reduction potentials below to answer the following question: which species listed is the strongest oxidizing agent?
Reduction half−reactionE°(V)𝐶𝑎2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑎(𝑠)−2.87𝑁𝑎+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝑁𝑎(𝑠)−2.71𝐴𝑙3+(𝑎𝑞)+3𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠)−1.66𝑀𝑛2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝑀𝑛(𝑠)−1.18𝐶𝑢2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑢(𝑠)+0.15𝐴𝑔+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑔(𝑠)+0.80\begin{array}{c:c}\rm Reduction\ half-reaction& E° (V)\\ \hline 𝐶𝑎^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝐶𝑎 (𝑠)& -2.87\\ \hline 𝑁𝑎^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^−⇌𝑁𝑎 (𝑠)&-2.71\\ \hline 𝐴𝑙^{3+} (𝑎𝑞)+3 𝑒^−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠) &-1.66\\ \hline 𝑀𝑛^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝑀𝑛 (𝑠)&-1.18\\ \hline 𝐶𝑢^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^− ⇌𝐶𝑢 (𝑠) &+0.15\\ \hline 𝐴𝑔^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^− ⇌𝐴𝑔 (𝑠)&+0.80\end{array}
Electrochemistry: Reduction potentials in a Galvanic Cell
Use the standard reduction potentials below to answer the following question: which metal could be used to create a sacrificial anode for an aluminum pipe?
Reduction half−reactionE°(V)𝐶𝑎2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑎(𝑠)−2.87𝑁𝑎+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝑁𝑎(𝑠)−2.71𝐴𝑙3+(𝑎𝑞)+3𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠)−1.66𝑀𝑛2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝑀𝑛(𝑠)−1.18𝐶𝑢2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑢(𝑠)+0.15𝐴𝑔+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑔(𝑠)+0.80\begin{array}{c:c}\rm Reduction\ half-reaction& E° (V)\\ \hline 𝐶𝑎^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝐶𝑎 (𝑠)& -2.87\\ \hline 𝑁𝑎^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^−⇌𝑁𝑎 (𝑠)&-2.71\\ \hline 𝐴𝑙^{3+} (𝑎𝑞)+3 𝑒^−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠) &-1.66\\ \hline 𝑀𝑛^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝑀𝑛 (𝑠)&-1.18\\ \hline 𝐶𝑢^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^− ⇌𝐶𝑢 (𝑠) &+0.15\\ \hline 𝐴𝑔^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^− ⇌𝐴𝑔 (𝑠)&+0.80\end{array}
Electrochemistry: Standard Reduction Potentials
A galvanic cell is constructed from chromium and copper electrodes immersed in aqueous solutions of Cr3+and Cu2+ respectively (half-reactions shown below).
Cr3+(aq)+3e−⇌Cr(s)Cr^{3+}(aq)+3e^-⇌Cr(s) E°red=−0.74VE°_{red}=-0.74V
Cu2+(aq)+2e−⇌Cu(s)Cu^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Cu(s) E°red=+0.34VE°_{red}=+0.34V
Electrochemistry: Reduction potentials
Based on the data table, which of these species is the strongest reducing agent?
Based on the following reduction potentials, which of these species is the strongest reducing agent?
ReactionE°(V)2HCℓO(aq)+2H+(aq)+2e−→Cℓ2(g)+2H2O(ℓ)+1.63Cℓ2(g)+2e−→2Cℓ−(aq)+1.36Br2(ℓ)+2e−→2Br−(aq)+1.08I2(s)+2e−→2I−(aq)+0.535Ag+(aq)+e−→Ag(s)+0.799Sn4+(aq)+2e−→Sn2+(aq)+0.15\def\arraystretch{2} \begin{array}{c|c} \hline \rm Reaction & E° (V) \\ \hline 2 HCℓO (aq) + 2 H^+ (aq) + 2 e^− → Cℓ_2 (g) + 2 H_2O (ℓ) & + 1.63 \\ \hline Cℓ_2(g) + 2 e^− → 2 Cℓ^− (aq) &+ 1.36\\ \hline Br_2(ℓ) + 2 e^− → 2 Br^− (aq) & + 1.08\\ \hline I_2 (s) + 2 e^− → 2 I^− (aq) & + 0.535\\ \hline Ag+ (aq) + e^− → Ag (s) &+ 0.799\\ \hline Sn^{4+} (aq) + 2 e^− → Sn^{2+} (aq) &+ 0.15\\ \hline \end{array}
Electrochemistry: Oxidizing agents
Which one of the species above is the best oxidizing agent?
Zn2+(aq)+2e−⇌Zn(s)Eo=−0.74VCu2+(aq)+2e−⇌Cu(s)Eo=+0.34VCo2+(aq)+2e−⇌Co(s)Eo=−0.28VAg+(aq)+e−⇌Ag(s)Eo=+0.80V\def\arraystretch{1.5}\begin{array}{cc}Zn^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Zn(s)&&E^o=-0.74V\\ Cu^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Cu(s)&&E^o=+0.34V\\ Co^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Co(s)&&E^o=-0.28V\\ Ag^+(aq)+e^-⇌Ag(s)&&E^o=+0.80V\end{array}
Electrochemistry: Galvanic Cells
The cell pictured below is prepared under standard conditions. In this cell, what will be the anode?
𝐶𝑢2+(𝑎𝑞)+𝐻2(𝑔)⇌𝐶𝑢(𝑠)+2𝐻+(𝑎𝑞)𝐸°=0.339𝑉𝐶𝑢^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+𝐻_2 (𝑔)\rightleftharpoons 𝐶𝑢 (𝑠)+2 𝐻^+ (𝑎𝑞) \qquad𝐸°=0.339 𝑉
Use the standard reduction potentials below to answer the following question: which metal could be used as an anode for an aluminum pipe?
Reduction half−reactionE°(V)𝐶𝑎2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑎(𝑠)−2.87𝑁𝑎+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝑁𝑎(𝑠)−2.71𝐴𝑙3+(𝑎𝑞)+3𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠)−1.66𝑀𝑛2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝑀𝑛(𝑠)−1.18𝐶𝑢2+(𝑎𝑞)+2𝑒−⇌𝐶𝑢(𝑠)+0.15𝐴𝑔+(𝑎𝑞)+𝑒−⇌𝐴𝑔(𝑠)+0.80\begin{array}{c:c}\rm Reduction\ half-reaction& E° (V)\\ \hline 𝐶𝑎^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝐶𝑎 (𝑠)& -2.87\\ \hline 𝑁𝑎^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^−⇌𝑁𝑎 (𝑠)&-2.71\\ \hline 𝐴𝑙^{3+} (𝑎𝑞)+3 𝑒^−⇌𝐴𝑙(𝑠) &-1.66\\ \hline 𝑀𝑛^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^−⇌𝑀𝑛 (𝑠)&-1.18\\ \hline 𝐶𝑢^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+2 𝑒^− ⇌𝐶𝑢 (𝑠) &+0.15\\ \hline 𝐴𝑔^+ (𝑎𝑞)+𝑒^− ⇌𝐴𝑔 (𝑠)&+0.80\end{array}
Which one of the species above is the best oxidizing agent?
Zn2+(aq)+2e−⇌Zn(s)Eo=−0.74VCu2+(aq)+2e−⇌Cu(s)Eo=+0.34VCo2+(aq)+2e−⇌Co(s)Eo=−0.28VAg+(aq)+e−⇌Ag(s)Eo=+0.80V\def\arraystretch{1.5}\begin{array}{cc}Zn^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Zn(s)&&E^o=-0.74V\\ Cu^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Cu(s)&&E^o=+0.34V\\ Co^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Co(s)&&E^o=-0.28V\\ Ag^+(aq)+e^-⇌Ag(s)&&E^o=+0.80V\end{array}
The cell pictured is prepared at standard conditions and the cell voltage measured to be +0.339 V. Which of the following changes would result in an increase to the measured cell voltage?
𝐶𝑢2+(𝑎𝑞)+𝐻2(𝑔)⇌𝐶𝑢(𝑠)+2𝐻+(𝑎𝑞)𝐸°=0.339𝑉𝐶𝑢^{2+} (𝑎𝑞)+𝐻_2 (𝑔)\rightleftharpoons 𝐶𝑢 (𝑠)+2 𝐻^+ (𝑎𝑞) \qquad𝐸°=0.339 𝑉
More Redox Reactions Questions:
Electrochemistry: Reduction potential application
Reduction Potentials Application
Below we see a diagram showing mitochondrial cellular respiration.
If we just consider the electron carrier NADH, NADH molecules gives up their electrons to the first complex, then the electron goes to the 2nd complex, then the 3rd, then the 4th and finally oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.
Electrochemistry: Reduction potential application
Reduction Potentials Application
Below we see a diagram showing mitochondrial cellular respiration.
If we just consider the electron carrier NADH, NADH molecules gives up their electrons to the first complex, then the electron goes to the 2nd complex, then the 3rd, then the 4th and finally oxygen (O2) is the final electron acceptor.
Electrochemistry: Redox
Write the half-reactions for the following redox reaction. Which is the oxidizing agent and which is the reducing agent?
Au2+(aq) + 2I-(aq) <----> Au(s) + I2(s)
Practice: Fill in the Blanks Review Activity (Oxidation vs Reduction)
Review of Oxidation/Reduction:
Redox reaction: involve changes in oxidation states or numbers.
Oxidation AND reduction must occur in order for it to be called a redox reaction!
A voltaic cell is constructed with an Sn/Sn2+ half-cell and a Zn/Zn2+ half-cell. The zinc electrode is negative.
Write a balanced overall reaction for this cell
Draw a diagram of this cell, labeling electrodes with their charges and showing the direction of electron flow in the wire and anion/cation flow in the salt bridge
Consider the following balanced redox equation:
16H(aq)++2MnO4(aq)−+10Cl(aq)−→2Mn(aq)2++5Cl2(g)+8H2O(l)16H^+_{(aq)}+2MnO^-_{4(aq)}+10Cl^-_{(aq)} \to 2Mn^{2+}_{(aq)}+5Cl_{2(g)}+8H_2O_{(l)}
Which species is being oxidized?
Electrochemistry: Standard Reduction Potentials
A galvanic cell is constructed from chromium and copper electrodes immersed in aqueous solutions of Cr3+and Cu2+ respectively (half-reactions shown below).
Cr3+(aq)+3e−⇌Cr(s)Cr^{3+}(aq)+3e^-⇌Cr(s) E°red=−0.74VE°_{red}=-0.74V
Cu2+(aq)+2e−⇌Cu(s)Cu^{2+}(aq)+2e^-⇌Cu(s) E°red=+0.34VE°_{red}=+0.34V
Electrochemistry: Redox
Consider the following balanced redox equation:
16H(aq)++2MnO4(aq)−+10Cl(aq)−→2Mn(aq)2++5Cl2(g)+8H2O(l)16H^+_{(aq)}+2MnO^-_{4(aq)}+10Cl^-_{(aq)} \to 2Mn^{2+}_{(aq)}+5Cl_{2(g)}+8H_2O_{(l)}
Which species is being oxidized?
Electrochemistry: Redox
Consider the following balanced redox equation:
16H(aq)++2MnO4(aq)−+10Cl(aq)−→2Mn(aq)2++5Cl2(g)+8H2O(l)16H^+_{(aq)}+2MnO^-_{4(aq)}+10Cl^-_{(aq)} \to 2Mn^{2+}_{(aq)}+5Cl_{2(g)}+8H_2O_{(l)}
Which species is the reducing agent?
Consider the following balanced redox equation:
16H(aq)++2MnO4(aq)−+10Cl(aq)−→2Mn(aq)2++5Cl2(g)+8H2O(l)16H^+_{(aq)}+2MnO^-_{4(aq)}+10Cl^-_{(aq)} \to 2Mn^{2+}_{(aq)}+5Cl_{2(g)}+8H_2O_{(l)}
Which species is being reduced?