In: Chemistry
10. Determine the direction in which the spontaneous reaction
occurs from the following standard reduction potentials. Indicate
the reaction that is occurring at the anode, the cathode, the cell
potential and the net ionic reaction.
Sn^4+ (ac) + 2e ----> Sn^2+ (ac) E = 0.15V
Fe^3+ (ac) + 1e ----> Fe^2+ (ac) E = 0.77V
Solution:- The oxidation and reduction half cell reactions are given as :-
Sn2+ (aq) Sn+4 (aq) + 2e- ( Oxidation at anode)
[ Fe+3 (aq) + e- Fe+2 (aq) ] × 2 (Reduction at cathode)
Net ionic reaction :- Sn2+ (aq) + 2 Fe+3 (aq) Sn+4 (aq) + 2 Fe+2 (aq)
E° cell (standard cell potential) = E°R - E°L = E°Fe+3/Fe+2 - E°Sn+4/Sn+2 = 0.77 - 0.15 = +0.62 V
Since, the cell potential E°cell is positive , reaction is spontaneous.
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