Lesson Plan

Lesson: Standard Cell Potential

Aim :

To study the concept of standard cell potentials and their uses.

Learning Outcomes :

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. calculate the e.m.f of a cell using E values.
φ

2. determine the direction of electron flow in a simple electrochemical cell.

3. predict the stability of aqueous ions and the feasibility of a reaction from E values.

φ
Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with the concept of :

1. standard electrode potentials.

2. half-cells.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Time taken to complete the activities : 80 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 4

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to get students to recall what
(Ascertaining prior they have learnt about standard electrode
knowledge and potentials and half-cells.
introducing lesson
topic for the day). • Teacher to point out lesson objectives for
the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 2 with • Courseware

the students.

• Activity 1 : Electrochemical cells

Students are shown the set-up of the
Daniel cell and are taught how to :
a. identify the cathode and the anode
b. the direction of the flow of electrons
c. calculate the standard cell potential
d. draw a cell diagram of the cell.

• Activity 2 : Application of E
φ

Students are shown how to predict :

a. whether a reaction is energetically
feasible
b the relative stabilities of the products
and reactants using standard cell
potentials.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Websites

activities on their own. • Reference
books.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 4

Answer

1. Electrochemical cells

1.1 a. Y

b. i. X electrode : X2+(aq) + 2e- X(s)

ii. Y electrode : Y(s) Y2+(aq) + 2e-

c. Y(s) + X2+(aq) Y2+(aq) + X(s)

d. +0.70 V

1.2 a. +0.32 V

b. Positive electrode : Fe
Negative electrode : Zn

c. Zinc electrode : Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e-

2+ -
Iron electrode : Fe (aq) + 2e Fe(s)
Overall reaction : Zn(s) + Fe2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Fe(s)

2. Application of E

2.1 a. 2Cl-(aq) Cl2(g) + 2e- E = -1.36 V

I2(s) + 2e- 2I-(aq) E = +0.54 V +

2Cl-(aq) + I2(s) 2I-(aq) + Cl2(g) E cell = -0.82 V

E cell is negative.
This reaction would not take place.

b. Sn4+(aq) + 2e- Sn2+(aq) E = +0.15 V

2Fe2+(aq) 2Fe (aq) + 2e-
3+
E = -0.77 V +

Sn4+(aq) + 2Fe2+(aq) 2Fe3+(aq) + Sn2+(aq) E cell = -0.62 V

E cell is negative.
This reaction would not take place.

c. H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- 2H2O(l) E = +1.77 V

+
2I-(aq) I2(s) + 2e- E = -0.54 V

H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2I-(aq) 2H2O(l) + I2(s) E cell = +1.23 V

E cell is positive.
This reaction would take place.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 4

2.2 a. Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e- E = +0.76 V
+
Br2(l) + 2e- 2Br-(aq) E = +1.07 V

Zn(s) + Br2(l) Zn2+(aq) + 2Br-(aq) E cell = +1.83 V

E cell is positive.
Therefore, Zn can reduce Br2 to Br-.

b. i. 2Al(s) 2Al3+(aq) + 6e- E = +1.66 V

+
3Zn (aq) + 6e-
2+
3Zn(s) E = -0.76 V

2Al(s) + 3Zn2+(aq) 2Al3+(aq + 3Zn(s) E cell = +0.90 V

E cell is positive.
A thin layer of Zn will be deposited on the piece of Al.

ii. Ti(s) Ti3+(aq) + 3e- E = +1.63 V

Fe (aq) + 3e-
3+
Fe(s) E = -0.04 V +

Ti(s) + Fe3+(aq) Ti3+(aq) + Fe(s) E cell = +1.59 V

E cell is positive.
A thin grey layer of Fe will be deposited on the Ti.
The brown colour of the solution will become lighter.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 4 of 4