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b. Use the Nernst equation to calculate the concentration of the unknown solutio

ID: 706736 • Letter: B

Question

b. Use the Nernst equation to calculate the concentration of the unknown solution. Base this on your experimental voltage of 1.074 V for the galvanic cell with this unknown combined with your copper half-cell. Hint: This problem is similar to practice problem 2 as well as several in your textbook.

Use the unrounded [Cu2+] value of .050179 M and the unrounded value of the constants as listed in the file link near the top of this assignment to avoid round-off error.

Note: You must use the table of reduction potentials given above.

The unknown metal is Zn2+ and I'm supposed to determine it's concentration using the Nerst equation. I have tried plugging all the numbers into the Nerst equation, but I keep getting the wrong answer. Temperature is 23C and the standard reduction potentials for Cu2+ and Zn2+ given are .337V and -.763V respectively. Please help!

b. Use the Nernst equation to calculate the concentration of the unknown solution. Base this on your experimental voltage of 1.074 V for the galvanic cell with this unknown combined with your copper half-cell. Hint: This problem is similar to practice problem 2 as well as several in your textbook.

Use the unrounded [Cu2+] value of .050179 M and the unrounded value of the constants as listed in the file link near the top of this assignment to avoid round-off error.

Note: You must use the table of reduction potentials given above.

The unknown metal is Zn2+ and I'm supposed to determine it's concentration using the Nerst equation. I have tried plugging all the numbers into the Nerst equation, but I keep getting the wrong answer. Temperature is 23C and the standard reduction potentials for Cu2+ and Zn2+ given are .337V and -.763V respectively. Please help!

Explanation / Answer


Nernest equation,

Zn2+ + 2?e- ---> Zn(s)    E0 = -0.7618 v

Cu2+ + 2?e- ----> Cu(s) E0 = 0.337 v


E0cell = E0cathode - E0anode

         = (0.337)- (-0.7618)

         = 1.1 v

cell reaction: Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) -----> Zn^2+(aq) + Cu(s)

   Ecell = E0cell - (RT/nF)log[[Zn2+]/[Cu2+]]

R = 8.314 j.k-1.mol-1

T = 296 k

F = 96500 c

n = 2(no of electrons transfered)

1.074 = 1.1-((8.314*296)/(2*96500))log(x/0.050179)

     x = 5.49

[Zn2+] = 5.49 M