Electrochemistry

General Procedure: The cells consist of a vial with a cover that two holes have been
drilled into, and two half cells, eyedroppers, in contact with a salt bridge (solution of
ammonium nitrate). Prepare the half cells by putting a SMALL amount of cotton into
each eyedropper and using a piece of wire pushing the glass wool so that it will create a
loosely packed barrier at the tip of the dropper between the solution in the half cell and
the solution of the salt bridge. You will need to prepare five half-cells.
Fill the vial half full of 2M ammonium nitrate. Each half cell should be filled with the
appropriate solution. To avoid dilution of the solution in the half cell, the liquid level in
the half cell must be greater than the level of the salt bridge. If the solution from the salt
bridge leaks into the half cell it will dilute the solution and effect the results. If the
solution from the half cell leaks into the salt bridge your results will not be affected.
1) Cu|Cu2+(0.1M)|| Ag+(0.1M)|Ag
From the above notation you know that one half cell contains 0.1 M copper(II) sulfate
and a copper metal electrode and the other contains 0.1 M silver nitrate solution and a
silver electrode. Each electrode should be two-thirds full. Connect the alligator clips
to the electrodes. Turn the voltmeter to mv. If the voltmeter is reading a negative
value reverse the clips. If the reading is off the scale move the clip to a new position
along the resisters so that the scale will is reading either or or of the true
value. Record the true voltage.
2) Zn|Zn2+(0.1M)||Cu2+(0.1M)|Cu
Replace the silver half cell with a zinc one made by filling the eyedropper two thirds
full of zinc sulfate and a zinc electrode. Save the silver half cell in a beaker (you will
need it for the next cell.) Proceed as in 1 to read the voltage.
3) Zn|Zn2+(0.1M)|| Ag+(0.1M)|Ag
Replace the copper half cell with the silver one you used in 1. Proceed as in 1 to read
the voltage.
4) Zn|Zn(NH3)42+(0.05M)|| Ag+(0.1M)|Ag
In the hood mix in a beaker twenty drops of 0.1M zinc sulfate with twenty drops of
7M ammonia. Prepare a half cell using this solution and a zinc electrode. (What is
the concentration of zinc(II) and ammonia in this solution before any reaction?)
Proceed as in 1 to read the voltage.
5) Ag|AgCl|| Ag+(0.1M)|Ag

Fill a new half cell about three-fourths full with 0.2M potassium chloride. Add one
drop of silver nitrate and mix by inverting several times (cover the opening with a
stopper or a piece of parafilm. Replace the Zn|Zn(NH3)42+(0.05M) with this new half
cell. Proceed as in 1 to read the voltage.

Data:
1) Cell voltage ______________________
(Include concentrations of aqueous solutions in all reactions)
Reaction at the anode:
Reaction at the cathode:
Overall cell reaction:
2) Cell voltage _______________________
(Include concentrations of aqueous solutions in all reactions)
Reaction at the anode:
Reaction at the cathode:
Overall cell reaction:
3) Cell voltage _______________________
(Include concentrations of aqueous solutions in all reactions)
Reaction at the anode:
Reaction at the cathode:
Overall cell reaction:
4) Cell voltage _______________________
(Include concentrations of aqueous solutions in all reactions)
Reaction at the anode:
Reaction at the cathode:
Overall cell reaction:
5) Cell voltage _______________________
(Include concentrations of aqueous solutions in all reactions)
Reaction at the anode:
Reaction at the cathode:
Overall cell reaction:

Calculations:
1) For cells 1-3, sketch the cell and identify: the anode, cathode, direction of the
movement of the electrons, and the anions and cations in the salt bridge.
2) Us the Nernst equation to calculate the value of the voltage for cells 1-3 and
compare your values to the predicted ones.
3) Add the measured voltages for cells 1 and 2. Does this equal the measured
voltage for cell 3? Add the reactions for 1 and 2. Compare it to the reaction for 3.
4) In cell four, the concentration of zinc(II) in solution is small because the
formation constant for Zn(NH3) 42+ is large.
(a)Write the chemical equation for Kf (Zn(NH3)42+)
(b) What are the initial concentrations of Zn2+, NH3 in this cell?
(c) Assuming the reaction goes to completion, what are the concentrations of
Zn , NH3, and Zn(NH3) 42+ at completion?
2+

(d)Use the Nernst equation to calculate the concentration of zinc(II) in this

cell at equilibrium. Using this value calculate the value of Kf (Zn(NH3) 42+).
(e) Compare your value to the literature value.
5) For cell five calculate the value of Ksp(AgCl)
(a) What is the initial concentration of chloride in the cell?
(b) Calculate the concentration of silver(I) ion in equilibrium with AgCl by
using the Nernst equation.
(c) Using these values calculate a value for Ksp(AgCl).
(d) Compare your value to the literature value.