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This assignment is due at 11:45 PM on 04/20/2016. Any work submitted between that time and 11:45 PM on 04/21/2016 will result in
an automatic 10 point deduction.
Also, any work submitted between 11:45 PM on 04/21/2016 and 11:45 PM on 04/22/2016 will result in an additional 10 points being
deducted for the assignment.

- PDF Lab Guide

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Due date passed. Please check with your Instructor or TA to submit lab work.

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Online Lab Submission
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Complete.
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Check back several days after the due date to view points added by your instructor.
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Experiment 23 Report Sheet

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ELECTROCHEMISTRY: VOLTAIC CELLS

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Earned Total
Total Points =
135.5 155

Introduction

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Note: All essay answers throughout the semester must be composed in the html text editor below. If you copy / 10 10
paste from another source, you may accidentally insert code that will make your lab sheet display improperly for
your TA / Instructor (alerting them that the information was copied from some source). If you need to copy /
paste from WORD, first copy / paste into a program like NotePad and then copy paste into the text area below.

The objectives in Experiment 23: Voltaic cells included the following:

1. To Measure the cell potential of several Voltaic cells. This will be achieved by using the Voltmeter paired with
measurnet and recording the voltages of voltaic cells (Mg2+,Zn2+,Sn2+,Fe2+,Pb2+) ,along with Cu2+/Cu.

2. To determine the effect of concentration on cell potential. This will be achieved by preparing diluted samples of a salt
solution (different molarities) and reating solution with metal ions. The different Molarities will then be tested via
voltimeter.measruenet system and recorded.

3. To determine the effect of the chemical enviroment around the metal ion on cell potential. This will be achieved by
adding aqueous ammonia to the CuSO4 soltuion, Testing this solution with metals used in Part A (Zn,Pb, and Sn) and
testing their cell potentials.

The concepts from lecture that relate to this lab are Cell Potentials, Half Reactions, Voltaic Cells, and
Molarity/Concentraion of solutions. The lab techniques performed throughout include creating a voltaic cell with various
metals/solutions, using voltimeter, diluting solutions to achieve a specific molarity, and using Measurnet system.

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[Answer Correct.]

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Experimental Procedure 13 13
Be sure to include procedures for modifying the Cu2+/Cu half cell in Parts B and C.
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For Part A, The procedure followed was that given in the handout downloaded from chem21labs.com, Exp 23:
Electrochemistry:Voltaic cells. 23-3 to 23-4. except that crucibles provided were used for 10 ml of solutions.

For Part B, (concentration effects on Cell Voltage) The procedure Followed was similar to that of Part A but in this case
we designed our own experiment and it included the following. Measuring the resulting cell voltages of (.1 M, .01 M ,
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.001 M Cu solutions, and .001 M Cu Solution with equal parts Na2S) The 0.1 M Cu solution cell potential could be taken
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from Part A but additional trials are recommended. The 0.01 M Cu solution was made from taking 1 mL of .1 M Cu and
diluting it with ditilled water to the 10 mL mark in graduated cylinder. Once correct molarity Cu solution is achieved the
cell voltage is then to be tested with volimeter in the same fashion as Part A. The .001 M Cu solution was made from
taking the .01 M solution and again diluting it in the same way as the .01 M Cu solution was made and cell voltage is also
to be taken the same way and recorded. The final step of Part B is to take the same .001 M Cu solution but this time mix
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it with equal parts/volume of .1 M Na2S Solution and then record its cell voltage.
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For Part C, (Chemical Enviromental effects on Cell Voltage) The procedure followed was also Similar to part A but
instead of using the same Cu solution (Cu(H2O)6^2+) , aqueous ammonium was added dropwise until the Cu soltion
turned a DARK blue, indicating that an ammonium complex (Cu(NH3)4^2+) was now formed and ready for testing. This
new "chemical enviroment" was then tested in the same fashion by constructing half cells and using voltimeter for three
metals (Zn, Pb, and Sn) and their corresponding solutions. The Cell voltages are then to be observed and recorded.

[Answer Correct.]

Results

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A. Cell Voltages

I. Zn/Zn2+ || Cu2+/Cu 1.091 v

II. Fe/Fe2+ || Cu2+/Cu .588 v

III. Mg/Mg2+ || Cu2+/Cu 1.690 v

IV. Pb/Pb2+ || Cu2+/Cu .460 v

V. Sn/Sn2+ || Cu2+/Cu .636 v

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List the metals in order of decreasing tendency to reduce Cu2+. 3 5
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Mg2+,Zn2+,Sn2+,Fe2+,Pb2+
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[Mg > Zn > Fe > Sn > Pb]

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Reduction Potentials

The potential of each cell is the sum of the contributions from each half-cell, but the two half-cell contributions are
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impossible to measure separately. However, if we define the Cu2+/Cu half cell as having an E = 0.00 volts, we can assign the
entire measured cell potential (voltage) to the other half-cell to which it is coupled. We can then compare these half-cell
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potentials to the literature values for the same half reactions, but only after rewriting the half-cell reactions as reduction
reactions,and adjusting their assigned voltages accordingly.

Use the Reference Material link at the top of the page to record the reduction potentials for each of the half-
cell reactions investigated.
Record the assigned voltage for each reduction half-reaction as determined by you experimentally. Use
the report sheet worksheet in the lab handout to determine the assigned voltage values.
Calculate the difference between the literature and assigned reduction potentials.

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Half Cell Reaction Literature E Eassigned Difference

0.337 0.00 0.337

0.337 0.00 0.337

Cu2+ + 2 e- Cu
3 3 3 3 3 3

-0.763 -1.091 0.328

-0.763 -1.091 0.328

Zn2+ + 2 e- Zn
3 3 3 3 3 3

-0.440 -0.588 0.148

-0.440 -0.588 0.148

Fe2+ + 2 e- Fe

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3 3 3 3 3 3

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-2.370 -1.690 -0.680

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-2.370 -1.690 -0.680

Mg2+ + 2 e- Mg rs e
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3 3 3 3 3 3
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-0.126 -0.460 0.334

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-0.126 -0.460 0.334

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Pb2+ + 2 e- Pb
3 3 3 3 3 3
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-0.136 -0.636 0.5

-0.136 -0.636 0.5
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Sn2+ + 2 e- Sn
3 3 3 3 3 3
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B. Concentration Effects on Cell Voltage

List the concentrations of the aqueous component of each half cell (e.g., 0.01M Cu2+, 0.1M Zn2+)
and the measured cell potential for each trial. Include the cell potential for the corresponding 10 10
voltaic cell from Part A.

(0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.1 M Cu2+) = Cell Voltage of 1.091 V

(0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.01 M Cu2+) = Cell Voltage of 1.075

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(0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.001 M Cu2+) = Cell Voltage of 1.074

(0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.001 M Cu2+ and equal volume Na2S) = Cell Voltage of 0.060 V

[Answer Correct.]

C. Complexation Effects on Cell Voltage

Indicate the three half cells from Part A that you coupled with the Cu/[Cu(NH3)4]2+ half cell.
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Include the observed voltages.

Zn/Zn2+ = 0.725 V

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Pb/Pb2+ = 0.245 V

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Sn/Sn2+ = 0.245 V

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[Answer Correct.]

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Discussion
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1. The assigned voltages for the Mg/Mg2+ and Fe/Fe2+ will deviate from expected values due to
impurities in the Mg strip and the Fe2+ solution, so consider the other half cells only when
answering this question:
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What is the significance of the difference between the tabulated Eo and Eassigned for each of the
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half cells? Explain your answer.

The significance of the difference between the tabulated E cell and E assigned for each of the half cells is can be directly
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tied to the copper half cell reaction. Since E assigned is zero it can be determined that the potential is calculated soley
by the half cell of the metal that is not copper. Entire cell must be present to measure voltage (indicidual half cells could
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not be measured) but difference is then equal to E literature.

[This is because the Cu/Cusup>2+ cell was used as the reference cell and defined as 0.0V instead of the standard hydrogen
electrode.]

2. Discuss your data concerning cell voltage and its concentration dependence.

a. According to the Nernst equation, how much should the cell potential change if the aqueous 8 8
component of one of the half cells is changed by a factor of 10? Does this agree with your

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experimental data?

According to the Nernst equation (Ecell = Ecell (0.0592 V)/n*log10(Q)) if the aqueous componenet of one of the half
cells is changed by a factor of 10 the cell potential will be decreased by a factor of 0.059/n (n being 2 moles of
electrons because each solution contained 2+ ions) therefore cell potential should change by a factor of 0.059/(2 mole
e-) = (0.0296 V/mol e.) Yes this does agree with our experimental data because as half cells are changed by a factor of
10 the log in Q expression changes the entire expression in a linear fashion.

[Answer Correct.]

b. What occured when Na2S was added? Does this result make sense in terms of the Nernst
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equation?

When Na2S was added, the concentration was then reduced to less than 10^-30 M. This does not agree with the Nerst

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equation because according to it the resulting voltage should have come out to be 0.2156 V but after testing half cell
solution with voltimeter we found it to be 0.060 V

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[Answer Correct.]

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3a. What effect does replacing the water ligands in [Cu(H2O)6]2+ with ammonia ligands to form
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[Cu(NH3)4]2+ have on the half cell potential of Cu2+/Cu?
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Replacing the water ligands in [Cu(H2O)6]^2+ with ammonia ligands to form [Cu(NH3)4]^2+ causes a drastic decrease
in potential of the half cell of Cu2+/Cu.
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[Answer Correct.]
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3b. Which species is a poorer oxidizing agent, [Cu(H2O)6]2+ or [Cu(NH3)4]2+? Explain your
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answer.

[Cu(H2O)6]2+ is a poorer oxidizing agent than [Cu(NH3)4]^2+ because it has a lower cell potential and since it has a
lower cell potential it is a poorer oxidizing agent. Higher cell potential = Better oxidizing agent.

[[Cu(NH3)4]2+ is a poorer oxidizing agent]

3c. (BONUS QUESTION) In the copper complexes investigated, the water and ammonia molecules

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act as Lewis bases (electron pair donors); they provide both of the electrons that form the
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covalent bonds between the Cu2+ ion and each ligand. Which ligand (H2O or NH3) is the stronger
Lewis base? Explain your answer in terms of your answers for questions 3a and 3b. (hint: the
poorer an oxidizing agent a species is, the harder it it to reduce that species. Hint #2: the
copper complexes are reduced by gaining an electron.)

The ammonia ligand is a much stronger lewis base than water which is demonstrated in question 3b (being a poorer
oxidizing agent) which results in it being more difficult for it to accept/gain electrons. Since a Lewis base gives away
electrons the results from 3a (amonia complex decreasing cell potential) it can further be proved that amonia is a pooer
oxidizing agent and a better reducing agent which in turn shows it to be a stronger lewis base.

[Answer Correct.]

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Error Discussion 5 5

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There were several places within this experiment that could have included error and they include the following: 1. If the
strip of paper that ressembles a salt bridge was not completely saturated with K2SO4. If this were to occur multiple

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things could have gone wrong. Since the salt bridge completes the circuit the cell potential could have read zero if

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current was unable to pass between hald cells or if the paper was partially saturated it may have allowed some current
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but less than what is should have been. We were sure to avoid this error by completely if not overly saturating the
bridge. 2. If the metal strips were not properly sanded/ cleaned. If this was the case impurities could have resided and
skewed the voltage readings in either the positive or negative direction. We were sure to avoiud this type of error by
properly sanding each and every piece of metal before use and rinsing with distilled water and drying them. 3. If not
enough ammonium was added to create dark blue solution indicating the proper complex was properly formed. If this
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was the case the difference in potential resulting from the change in complextion (enviroment) would not be evident on
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the measurnet system/voltage scale. We were sure to avoid this error by following procudure and doube checking with
our TA to ensure complex had formed. Any and all other errors associated with this experiment were eliminated or at
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least drasticall reduced by following both lab safety protocal and the lab manual as closely as possible.

[Answer Correct.]
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Conclusion 10 10
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All objectives of Experiment 23: Voltaic cells were successfully achieved and resulting data is included in the following:

1. To Measure the cell potential of several Voltaic cells. This was achieved by using the Voltmeter paired with measurnet
and recording the voltages of voltaic cells (Mg2+,Zn2+,Sn2+,Fe2+,Pb2+, along with Cu2+/Cu) and found them to be
(Mg2+ 1.690, Zn2+ 1.091, Sn2+ .636, Fe2+ .588, and Pb2+ .460)

2. To determine the effect of concentration on cell potential. This was achieved by preparing diluted samples of a salt
solution (Molarities of: (0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.1 M Cu2+), (0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.01 M Cu2+), (0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.001
M Cu2+), and (0.1 M of Zn2+ with 0.001 M Cu2+ and equal volume Na2S) ) and reacting solutions with metal ions.
Solutions were then setup in half cell cells and tested via volitmeter/measurnet system and resulting voltages were
found to be: (1.091 V, 1.075 V, 1.074 V, and 0.060 V) resulting voltages listed are listed in the same order of molarities
expressed preceeding them.

3. To determine the effect of the chemical enviroment around the metal ion on cell potential. This was achieved by
adding aqueous ammonia to the CuSO4 soltuion, and after Testing this solution with the metals used in Part A (Zn,Pb,

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and Sn) and found resulting cell potentials to be: (Zn/Zn2+ = 0.725 V, Pb/Pb2+ = 0.245 V, and Sn/Sn2+ = 0.245 V)

[Answer Correct.]

Earned Total

Total Points =
135.5 155

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NOTE: This is the current offset to the posted grade: -10

Instructor Comments:

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The Student has worked a problem after the original due date on 04/21/2016 03:40 PM. 10 points have been subtracted from his/her

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grade.

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