Question

Calculate the cell potential for the following electrochemical reaction:Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)Given that the standard reduction potentials for the half-reactions are as follows:Zn2+(aq) + 2e- → Zn(s)      E° = -0.76 VCu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)      E° = +0.34 V

Answer 1

To calculate the cell potential for the given electrochemical reaction, we need to determine the overall cell potential  Ecell  by combining the standard reduction potentials of the two half-reactions.First, we need to reverse the Zn2+ aq  + 2e-  Zn s  half-reaction to match the overall reaction:Zn s   Zn2+ aq  + 2e-      E = +0.76 V  reversed Now, we can combine the two half-reactions:Zn s   Zn2+ aq  + 2e-      E = +0.76 VCu2+ aq  + 2e-  Cu s       E = +0.34 VThe overall reaction is:Zn s  + Cu2+ aq   Zn2+ aq  + Cu s To calculate the cell potential, we add the standard reduction potentials of the two half-reactions:Ecell = E Cu2+/Cu  - E Zn2+/Zn  =  +0.34 V  -  -0.76 V  = +1.10 VThe cell potential for the given electrochemical reaction is +1.10 V.