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Ch.20 - Electrochemistry
Chapter 20, Problem 66c

Calculate E°cell for each balanced redox reaction and determine if the reaction is spontaneous as written. c. PbO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + Sn(s) → Pb2+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + Sn2+(aq)

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Standard Electrode Potential (Ec°ell)

The standard electrode potential, Ec°ell, is a measure of the tendency of a chemical species to be reduced, expressed in volts. It is determined under standard conditions (1 M concentration, 1 atm pressure, and 25°C). A positive Ec°ell indicates a spontaneous reaction, while a negative value suggests non-spontaneity. Calculating Ec°ell involves using the standard reduction potentials of the half-reactions involved in the redox process.
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Redox Reactions

Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between two species, where one is oxidized (loses electrons) and the other is reduced (gains electrons). In the given reaction, lead dioxide (PbO2) is reduced to lead ions (Pb2+), while tin (Sn) is oxidized to tin ions (Sn2+). Understanding the oxidation states and identifying the oxidizing and reducing agents are crucial for balancing the reaction and calculating Ec°ell.
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Spontaneity of Reactions

The spontaneity of a reaction refers to its ability to occur without external intervention. In electrochemistry, a reaction is spontaneous if the calculated standard cell potential (Ec°ell) is positive. This indicates that the free energy change (ΔG) for the reaction is negative, favoring the formation of products. Evaluating the spontaneity helps predict whether the reaction will proceed as written under standard conditions.
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