Question

Using tabulated standard reduction potentials from your text, calculate the standard cell potential, E degree_cell (always positive for a galvanic cell), based on the following reaction: Cu^2+ (aq) + Mg(s) Mg^2+ (aq) + Cu(s) A galvanic cell based on the above reaction is constructed according to the generic sketch of a galvanic cell shown below:

Answer 1

Reduction half cell reaction(Cathode)

$Cu^{2+}(aq)+2e^-\rightarrow Cu(s) -------E^o_{(cathode)}=0.34V$

Reduction half reaction(Anode)

$Mg(s)\rightarrow Mg^{2+}+2e^- -------E^o_{(anode)}=-2.38V$

We know,

$E^o_{cell}=E^o_{cathode}-E^o_{anode}$

$=>E^o_{cell}=[0.34-(-2.38)]V$

$=>E^o_{cell}=2.72V$