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Ch.20 - Electrochemistry
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.20 - ElectrochemistryProblem 32
Chapter 20, Problem 32

(a) Which electrode of a voltaic cell, the cathode or the anode, corresponds to the higher potential energy for the electrons? (b) What are the units for electrical potential? How does this unit relate to energy expressed in joules?

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Understand the roles of the anode and cathode in a voltaic cell. The anode is where oxidation occurs, and electrons are released. The cathode is where reduction occurs, and electrons are accepted.
Step 2: Recognize that electrons flow from the anode to the cathode in a voltaic cell. This flow is due to the difference in potential energy between the two electrodes.
Step 3: Determine which electrode has higher potential energy for electrons. Since electrons move from high to low potential energy, the anode has higher potential energy for electrons compared to the cathode.
Step 4: Identify the units for electrical potential. Electrical potential is measured in volts (V).
Step 5: Relate volts to energy in joules. One volt is defined as one joule per coulomb (1 V = 1 J/C), indicating the amount of energy per unit charge.
Related Practice
Textbook Question

A voltaic cell similar to that shown in Figure 20.5 is constructed. One electrode half-cell consists of a silver strip placed in a solution of AgNO3, and the other has an iron strip placed in a solution of FeCl2. The overall cell reaction is Fe1s2 + 2 Ag+1aq2 ¡ Fe2+1aq2 + 2 Ag1s2 (f) In which directions do the cations and anions migrate through the solution?

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Textbook Question

(a) What is the definition of the volt?

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Textbook Question

(b) Do all voltaic cells produce a positive cell potential?

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Textbook Question

(b) Write the half-reaction that occurs at a hydrogen electrode in acidic aqueous solution when it serves as the anode of a voltaic cell.

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Textbook Question

(c) Why is it impossible to measure the standard reduction potential of a single half-reaction?

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Open Question
A voltaic cell that uses the reaction Tl3+(aq) + 2 Cr2+(aq) → Tl+(aq) + 2 Cr3+(aq) has a measured standard cell potential of +1.19 V. (c) Sketch the voltaic cell, label the anode and cathode, and indicate the direction of electron flow.