The standard reduction potentials for three half-cells are given below:
A chemistry student intends to store an aqueous solution of iron(II) tetraoxonitrate(V), , in metal containers. Based on standard electrode potentials, which container choice is suitable for safely storing the solution without undergoing a spontaneous redox reaction?
- Only the Silver containerCevap
- BOnly the Chromium container
- CBoth the Chromium and Silver containers
- DNeither container
Cevap
Only the Silver container can safely store the iron(II) tetraoxonitrate(V) solution.
A redox reaction is spontaneous if the standard cell potential is positive (E°cell > 0). When storing aqueous iron(II) ions in a Silver container, the potential reaction involves oxidation of Silver metal and reduction of iron(II) ions: E°cell = E°(reduction) - E°(oxidation) = -0.44 V - (+0.80 V) = -1.24 V. Because E°cell is negative, the reaction cannot occur spontaneously, making the Silver container suitable. Conversely, for Chromium, E°cell = -0.44 V - (-0.74 V) = +0.30 V, which is positive and causes a spontaneous reaction that destroys the Chromium container.
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Anahtar Kavram
Spontaneity of Redox Reactions and Standard Cell Potential