Chemistry Laboratory Report

Practical #32

Voltaic cell Measurements

Prepared by: Samat Bayakhmetov Lab partners: Daniyar Aldabergenov Teacher: Eugene Douglass

Nazarbayev University. Astana. 2012

Introduction Most of the chemical reactions can be classified as redox reactions, which include two half reactions, oxidation and reduction respectively. To measure the tendency for a readox reaction to occur, special apparatus called voltaic cell can be used. It is made by connecting a voltmeter between two electrodes, which are immersed in to the two different solutions separated by porous barrier. This barrier allows flow of ions, so that the voltage or potential can be measured. In a closer look of such reactions, it can be determined that the sum of the potentials of oxidation and reduction is actually the voltage of the whole voltaic cell. For convenience negative electrode of the voltaic cell is considered to be that where oxidation occurs anode, and it is connected to the negative pole of electrode.

The picture bellow is a schematic diagram of the voltaic cell which we will study. However this also makes trouble in calculating individual potentials of reduction or oxidation. For this reason Hydrogen standard electrode is used. Its value is assigned to be 0 V, so that measuring it with any other substance can give approximate value of potential. Concentration also significantly affects the cell potential. For example if the following redox reaction is given: aA(s) + bB+(aq) cC(s) + dD2+(aq) where all the integers are known, the following formula can be used: Ecell = E0cell 0.0592/n * log[D2+0]d/[B+]b where n number of e in either electrodes, E0cell standard cell potential for a given cell. Aim The aim of this experiment was to learn how to determine the cell potential in a voltaic cell. We also will learn about the concentration and temperature effect on the cell potential. Methods and Procedures Part A: Cell Potentials Firstly we took five different electrode systems, and then as described on the picture from introduction constructed seven different voltaic cells. All of them where similar in that 10 ml of each solution was needed, and of course each time as new cell was made, beakers were rinsed with enough DI water to decrease the error.

Part B: Effects of Concentration on Cell Potentials In this part the special cell was made. It was Cu, Cu2+ || Ag+, Ag and 10 ml of 1 M CuSO4, in the crucible and the same amount of the 1M AgNO3 in the beaker. After primary potential has been measured, 10 ml of 6M NH3 was added to the crucible and stirred carefully. Then final potential was measured and results recorded to the data sheet. Discussion In Part A all of the seven cells were made up well and the cell potential of each of them were accurately measured. It was investigated that the highest potential was when silver and zinc electrode systems were connected. The cell potential was equal to 1.2 V. Even though this is the biggest value during our experiment, theoretically it must be even greater. Since standard potential of oxidation of silver is 0.80V and the same potential but now for reduction of the zinc is 0.76V, the total Ecell must be about 1.46V. However empirically we got just 1.2V, and the % error is about 18%. This is indeed very big number, but there were several sources of mistake, and in combined effect they could result in such big inaccuracy. For instance we could not properly wash the beaker and particularly crucible with porous bottom, where the ions from the previous cell could be found. For avoiding such mistake it is better to use each time clear crucible, however this would result in insufficient founding for other more important experiments, so to wash all the equipments better next time. In contrast the smallest value we obtained during the lab was when we connected copper and iron. The total cell potential was recorded as 0.1V. Unfortunately, again even smallest result was quite incorrect. According to the table of half reactions, the strength of reduction of cupper is -0.52V, and as mentioned before potential of the oxidizing strength of iron is 0.77V. Theoretically the total potential must be approximately 0.25V, against 0.1V we got. This accounts for significant 60% of error. This is possibly that we omitted the main mistake here: put the oxidizing mixture no to the crucible, but to the beaker, and measured potential. Of course we did not have the table with half reactions and their relative oxidizing and reducing strength. If it would be so, of course we wouldn`t make such silly mistake. Also the mistake described previously also could take place in that experiment, since by order it was sixth we made, and previous one fourth. Conclusion In conclusion I want to say that this lab was really very beneficial for me. First of all, we repeated the topics from the course and strengthen them with practical knowledge. Secondly, we again observed the textbook definitions in real time and this will contribute to higher level of understanding of the chemistry. For instance we learned how voltaic cells can be made up, and then investigated. Particularly we acquired knowledge on determination of the cell potential, which is simply the sum of the potential of oxidation and potential of reduction parts of the cell. Also we observed how concentration affects on the cell potential and how this opportunity can help us to manipulate with potentials. Finally I want to express my deepest respect for the teachers and assistances for their hard work and contribution to our work.