INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY
The experiment was performed by maintaining the concentration of Zn half cell at 1.0 M
and vary the Cu half cell concentrations, cell potential (E) was recorded. Firstly, the required
volume of 1.0 M CuSO4 was withdraw into each of the 100mL volumetric flask and top up with
deionized water to the calibration to prepare solutions of CuSO 4 with the following molarities
0.1, 0.01, 0.001, and 0.0001 M. Then, Daniell cell was constructed. After that, the metal strips
was cleaned by rubbing with sand paper and then rinsed in deionized water and dried them. Next,
one 100mL beaker was filled with 1.0 M ZnSO 4 solution until it covers the Zn electrode. The
second beaker was filled with 0.0001 M CuSO4 until the solution covers the Cu electrode. The
circuit was complete and the voltage (E) was measured. The thermometer was used to measure
the temperature of the Cu2+ solution. Lastly, same procedure was repeated with next higher
concentration of CuSO4. Three readings of E at each concentration were taken.
RESULTS
Concentratio
T(C)
E (v)
E
E
E3
n of copper
1
2
half cell (M)
0.0001
27
0.461
0.530
0.462
0.001
27
0.412
0.380
0.370
0.01
27
1.138
1.040
1.043
0.1
27
1.062
1.058
1.056
Table 1: Cell potential of different concentration of copper half cell

CALCULATIONS

E Average
0.484
0.387
1.074
1.059

1) Use the Nernst equation to calculate the cell potential (Ecal) for each concentration of
copper ion.
Nernst equation:
RT
E=E
ln Q
where:
nF
Ecell is the cell potential
E0cell refers to standard cell potential
R is the gas constant (8.3145 J/molK)
T is the absolute temperature
n is the number of moles of electrons transferred by the cell's reaction
F is Faraday's constant 96485.337 C/mol )
Q is the reaction quotient, where

Q = [C]c[D]d /
[A]a[B]b
For Daniel cell of Zn (s) | ZnSO4 (aq) || CuSO4 (aq) |Cu (s)
Reduction of Cu2+ : Cu2+ (aq) + 2e Cu (s)

E= +0.34 V

Oxidation of Zn

: Zn (s) Zn2+ (aq) + 2e

E= + 0.76 V

Overall

:Cu2+ (aq) + Zn (s) Cu (s) + Zn2+ (aq)

E= + 1.10 V

RT/nF = ( 8.3145 J /molK ) (300 K)/ (2) (96485 C/mol)

= 0.0129 V
Q = [C]c[D]d / [A]a[B]b

Concentration of copper half cell = 0.0001M

Q = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]
Q = 1.0M / 0.0001 M
Q = 10000
Ecal = Ecell - (RT/nF) x lnQ
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x ln(10000)

Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x 9.210

Ecal = 1.10 V 0.119V
Ecal = 0.981 V
Concentration of copper half cell = 0.001 M
Q = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]
Q = 1.0M / 0.001 M
Q = 1000
Ecal = Ecell - (RT/nF) x lnQ
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x ln(1000)
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x 6.908
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.089 V
Ecal = 1.011 V

Concentration of copper half cell = 0.01 M

Q = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]
Q = 1.0M / 0.01 M
Q = 100
Ecal = Ecell - (RT/nF) x
lnQ
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x ln(100)
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x 4.605
Ecal = 1.10 V -0.059 V
Ecal = 1.041 V

Concentration of copper half cell = 0.1 M

Q = [Zn2+]/[Cu2+]
Q = 1.0M / 0.1 M
Q = 10
Ecal = Ecell - (RT/nF) x lnQ
Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x ln(10)

Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.0129 V x 2.303

Ecal = 1.10 V - 0.028 V
Ecal = 1.070 V

2) Tabulate Ecal and Eexp for each concentration of copper ion. Compare the calculated values
with that of the experimental values. What are the possible causes for the discrepancies in
the values of Ecal and Eexp?
Concentration of
copper half cell, M

Ecal, V

Eexp, V

0.0001
0.981
0.001
1.011
0.01
1.041
0.1
1.070
Table 2: Ecal and Eexp for each concentration of copper ion

0.484
0.387
1.074
1.059

3) What is the trend in Eexp when the concentration of copper ion is changed? A graph of
Eexpvs concentration of copper ion may be useful to illustrate the trend.
Concentration of copper half cell, M
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
Table 3: The trend in Eexp at different concentration of copper ion

Eexp, V
0.484
0.387
1.074
1.059

- As the concentration of copper ion increase, the Eexp is also increase.

4)

Express the Nernst Equation of the cell in terms of m and in common logarithm scale.
Quantity m=solution molality,1.
E=E

RT
ln Q
nF

2+
Zn

2+

Cu

RT
E
ln
2F
Zn2+
m
Cu 2+
m

RT
E
ln
2F

[ ]
m

m

[ ]

2+
[ m ] Zn 2 +
[ m ] Cu

RT
E
ln
2F
5)

Determine graphically the standard cell potential of the cell (E).

RT
ln K
nF

E-

eq

=0

nFE
RT
ln

K eq =

K eq =

K eq = 85.1 0
ln

6)

2 ( 96485 ) ( 1.10 )
( 8.3145 ) 300
ln
36

K eq =9.080 10

Calculate quantity Keq.

-For Concentration of copper half cell = 0.0001 M

K eq =

( 2)(96485)(0.484 )
nFE
, ln K eq=
RT
(8.3145)(300)
ln

ln K eq =37.44
K eq=1.82 10

16

-For Concentration of copper half cell = 0.001 M

K eq =

( 2)(96485)(0.387)
nFE
, ln K eq=
RT
(8.3145)(300)
ln

ln K eq =29.9 4
K eq=1.01 10

13

-For Concentration of copper half cell = 0.01 M

K eq =

( 2)(96485)(1.074)
nFE
, ln K eq=
RT
(8.3145)(300)
ln

ln K eq =83.09
K eq=1.22 10

36

-For Concentration of copper half cell = 0. 1 M

K eq =

( 2)(96485)(1.059)
nFE
, ln K eq=
RT
(8.3145)(300)
ln

ln K eq =81.93
K eq=3.8 10

35

Concentration of
copper half cell, M

Eexp(V)

Keq

7)

0.0001

0.484

1.82 1016

0.001

0.387

1.01 1013

0.01

1.074

1.22 1036

0.1

1.059

3.8 1035

Table 4: The quantity Keq for concentration of copper half cell

Tabulate Etheory and Eexp; Keq,theory and Keq,exp.
-

error =

For Concentration of copper half cell = 0.0001 M

Etheory
1.10V

Eexp
0.484

Keq,theory
9.080 1036

Keq,exp
1.82 1016

1.10V

0.387

9.080 1036

1.01 1013

1.10V

1.074

9.080 1036

1.22 1036

1.10V

1.059

9.080 1036

3.8 1035

K eq,exp K eq, theory

100
K eq,theory

1.82 10 169.080 1036

100
9.080 10 36

DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION

Based on the experiment, the value of cell potential ( E ) is 1.10 V while the value of
36
equilibrium constant is 9.080 10

cell potential also increases.

By increasing the concentration of copper, the value of

REFERENCES

QUESTIONS
1. Calculate the equilibrium constant (Keq) at 25C for the reaction between zinc metal and
acid.
Given that: Zn (s)+ 2H + (aq)

Zn2+ (aq) + H2(g)

2. Use the following standard state cell potentials to calculate the solubility product (K eq) at
25C for Mg(OH)2
Mg(OH)2 + 2e
Mg2+ +2e
Mg

Mg + 2 OH

Eder
Eder

3. Calculate the cell potential (E) at 25 C for Cu| Cu 2+ (0.024 M) || Ag+ (0.0048M) | Ag.
Cu2+ + 2 e-

Oxidation:

Cu

Reduction:

Ag+ + e-

Ag

Eoox = -(0.3402 V)
Eored = 0.7996 V

Eo = Eored + Eoox = 0.4594 V

E=E

RT
ln Q
nF

Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq)

Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

Q = [Ag+]/[Cu2+]
Q= 0.024 M / 0.0048M
Q = 0.100
Ecell = E0cell - (RT/nF) x lnQ
Ecell = 0.4594 V - 0.0125 V x ln(5)
Ecell = 0.4594 V - 0.0125 V x 1.609
Ecell = 0.4594 V - 0.020V
Ecell = 0.4394 V

4. Use cell potential data to explain why copper metal does not dissolve in a typical strong
acid, such as hydrochloric acid.
Cu (s) + 2 H+ (aq)
But will dissolve in 1M nitric acid
3 Cu (s) + 2HNO3 (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) 3 Cu2+ (aq) + 2 NO (g) + 4H2O (l)
Copper does not dissolve in a typical strong acid because the overall cell potential for the
oxidation of copper metal to Cu2+ ions coupled with the reduction of H+ ions to H2 is
negative.
Cu Cu2+ + 2e

E ox = -(0.34)V

+ 2H+ + 2e H2

Ered= 0.000V

Cu + 2H+ Cu2+ + H2E = E ox + Ered = -0.34V

Copper dissolves in nitric acid because the reaction at the cathode now involves the
reduction of nitric acid to NO gas, and the potential for this half-reaction is strong enough
to overcome the half-cell potential for oxidation of copper metal to Cu2+ ions.
3 (Cu Cu2+ + 2 e-)
+ 2(HNO3 + 3 H+ + 3 e- NO + 2 H2O)

3 Cu + 2 HNO3 + 6 H+ 3 Cu2+ + 2 NO + 4
H2O

Eoox = -(0.34 V)
Eored = 0.96 V

Eo = Eoox + Eored = 0.62

V