CH 302 Electrochemistry Review

These flashcards cover key concepts for CH 302 Electrochemistry, including definitions, principles, and calculations related to electrochemical processes.

What is the relationship between Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) and cell potential (E°) in electrochemistry?

ΔG° = -nFE°, where n is the number of moles of electrons exchanged and F is the Faraday's constant.

What does a positive ΔG° indicate about a reaction?

A positive ΔG° indicates a non-spontaneous reaction.

Which metal is known as the strongest reducing agent in the context of the metal activity series?

Lithium (Li) is known as the strongest reducing agent.

How does the Nernst equation relate to the concentrations of reactants and products?

The Nernst equation shows how cell potential (E) changes with the concentrations of reactants and products, where Q is the reaction quotient.

What is the standard reduction potential for the reduction of MnO4- to Mn2+ in acidic solution?

+1.51 V.

What is the purpose of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell?

The salt bridge allows for the flow of ions to maintain charge balance in the half-cells.

What does the term 'atom economy' refer to?

Atom economy refers to the proportion of reactants used that ends up in the final product, aiming for a high value to minimize waste.

What is the function of electrolytic cells?

Electrolytic cells use electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction.

What is the typical environmental concern regarding the use of phosphates in fertilizers?

Phosphates can lead to algal blooms in water bodies, which are detrimental to aquatic ecosystems.

What is a common characteristic of noble gases?

Noble gases are inert and have full electron shells, typically having 2 or 8 electrons.

In electrochemistry, what does OIL RIG stand for?

Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain.

What kind of reactions represent balancing redox reactions in neutral, acidic, and basic solutions?

They require identifying oxidation and reduction half-reactions and ensuring charge and mass balance.

What is the purpose of galvanization in preventing rust?

Galvanization involves coating iron with a more easily oxidized metal, such as zinc, to protect it from rusting.

What happens to the E°cell for a galvanic cell compared to an electrolytic cell?

E°cell is positive for galvanic cells (spontaneous) and negative for electrolytic cells (non-spontaneous).

Why are lithium-ion batteries preferred in modern applications?

Lithium-ion batteries are preferred due to their high energy density, efficiency, and relatively low weight.

How do the activities of metals determine displacement reactions?

More active metals displace less active metals from their compounds in reactions.

What is a key factor in determining the strength of oxidizing and reducing agents based on standard reduction potentials?

The greater the positive reduction potential, the stronger the oxidizing agent.

What is the reduction half-reaction of chlorine (Cl2) to chloride ions (Cl–)?

Cl2(g) + 2 e– → 2 Cl–(aq) with a potential of +1.36 V.

What defines a primary battery?

A primary battery is non-rechargeable and used once until its chemical energy is depleted.

What is the first step to balancing redox reactions?

Assign oxidation numbers to all elements involved in the reaction.

What kind of agent is silver (Ag) when plated onto copper (Cu)?

Silver acts as the oxidizing agent because it is reduced in the plating process.

What will happen if K > 1 in a chemical reaction?

If K > 1, the products are favored, indicating a spontaneous reaction.