ROUTERA


Chapter 3 Electrochemistry

Class 12th Chemistry Chapter Case Study


Case Study 1: Electrochemical Cells and Nernst Equation

Case: An electrochemical cell consists of two half-cells connected by a salt bridge. Each half-cell contains a metal immersed in a solution of its salt. The electrode potential is a measure of the tendency of a metal to lose electrons (oxidation) or gain electrons (reduction). The Nernst equation relates the cell potential to the concentration of ions in solution. The Nernst equation helps in calculating the potential of an electrochemical cell under non-standard conditions. The cell potential is affected by temperature, concentration, and the nature of the electrodes.

For a given electrochemical reaction:

E=E0.0591nlog([products][reactants])E = E^\circ - \frac{0.0591}{n} \log \left(\frac{[products]}{[reactants]}\right)

where EE is the cell potential, EE^\circ is the standard electrode potential, nn is the number of electrons involved, and the concentrations of the products and reactants are taken in molarity.

Questions:

  1. The Nernst equation is used to calculate:

    • A) The electrode potential at standard conditions
    • B) The Gibbs free energy change for a reaction
    • C) The cell potential under non-standard conditions
    • D) The number of electrons in a half-reaction
    • Answer: C) The cell potential under non-standard conditions
  2. In the Nernst equation, what does the term 0.0591nlog([products][reactants])\frac{0.0591}{n} \log \left(\frac{[products]}{[reactants]}\right) represent?

    • A) The standard electrode potential
    • B) The change in cell potential due to concentration
    • C) The equilibrium constant of the reaction
    • D) The temperature dependence of the reaction
    • Answer: B) The change in cell potential due to concentration
  3. The standard electrode potential of a half-cell is determined under:

    • A) Non-standard conditions
    • B) Standard conditions (1 M concentration, 1 atm pressure, 25°C)
    • C) High temperature and pressure
    • D) Varying concentration
    • Answer: B) Standard conditions (1 M concentration, 1 atm pressure, 25°C)
  4. The cell potential for a reaction decreases when:

    • A) The concentration of reactants increases
    • B) The concentration of products increases
    • C) The temperature increases
    • D) The number of electrons involved increases
    • Answer: B) The concentration of products increases

Case Study 2: Conductivity and Conductance

Case: Conductivity is a measure of the ability of a solution to conduct electricity, and it depends on the concentration of ions in the solution. The cell constant is a factor that relates the conductance of a solution to the physical dimensions of the cell. Molar conductivity is the conductance of a solution containing one mole of electrolyte. Molar conductivity increases with dilution because the ions in a solution become more dispersed, leading to less ion-ion interaction.

For an electrolyte solution, the relationship between conductivity (κ), molar conductivity (Λ), and concentration (C) is given by:

Λ=κC\Lambda = \frac{\kappa}{C}

At infinite dilution, the molar conductivity is called the limiting molar conductivity (Λ0\Lambda_0 ).

Questions:

  1. The molar conductivity of an electrolyte solution is:

    • A) Directly proportional to its concentration
    • B) Inversely proportional to its concentration
    • C) Independent of concentration
    • D) Only dependent on the solvent
    • Answer: B) Inversely proportional to its concentration
  2. The cell constant of a conductivity cell is:

    • A) Dependent on the type of electrolyte
    • B) A factor that relates conductance to the physical dimensions of the cell
    • C) The molar conductivity of the solution
    • D) Dependent on temperature alone
    • Answer: B) A factor that relates conductance to the physical dimensions of the cell
  3. The conductivity of a solution is directly related to:

    • A) The number of ions and their mobility
    • B) The temperature only
    • C) The pressure of the solution
    • D) The concentration of the solvent
    • Answer: A) The number of ions and their mobility
  4. At infinite dilution, the molar conductivity of an electrolyte is:

    • A) Zero
    • B) Equal to the molar conductivity at standard conditions
    • C) Maximum and called limiting molar conductivity
    • D) Half the molar conductivity at infinite concentration
    • Answer: C) Maximum and called limiting molar conductivity

Case Study 3: Electrolytic Cells and Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis

Case: An electrolytic cell is a type of electrochemical cell where electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. This process is known as electrolysis. Faraday’s laws of electrolysis quantify the relationship between the amount of substance deposited or liberated during electrolysis and the quantity of electric charge passed through the cell. Faraday’s first law states that the amount of substance deposited is directly proportional to the quantity of charge. Faraday’s second law states that the amount of different substances deposited or liberated by the same quantity of charge is proportional to their equivalent weights.

Questions:

  1. Faraday’s first law of electrolysis states that the amount of substance deposited at an electrode is directly proportional to:

    • A) The current passed through the solution
    • B) The voltage applied across the electrodes
    • C) The quantity of charge passed through the solution
    • D) The duration of electrolysis
    • Answer: C) The quantity of charge passed through the solution
  2. Which of the following is true according to Faraday’s second law of electrolysis?

    • A) The same amount of substance is deposited for all electrolytes
    • B) The deposition of substances is independent of their equivalent weights
    • C) The deposition of different substances is proportional to their equivalent weights
    • D) The amount of substance deposited is independent of the current
    • Answer: C) The deposition of different substances is proportional to their equivalent weights
  3. In an electrolytic cell, the substance deposited at the cathode is:

    • A) The anion of the electrolyte
    • B) The cation of the electrolyte
    • C) The substance with the lowest equivalent weight
    • D) Always water
    • Answer: B) The cation of the electrolyte
  4. The amount of substance deposited during electrolysis depends on:

    • A) The temperature of the electrolyte
    • B) The concentration of the electrolyte
    • C) The charge passed through the electrolyte
    • D) All of the above
    • Answer: D) All of the above

Case Study 4: Galvanic Cells and Electrode Potentials

Case: A galvanic cell (or voltaic cell) is an electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from spontaneous chemical reactions. In a galvanic cell, two half-cells are connected, each containing a metal electrode immersed in a solution of its ion. The half-reaction at the anode involves oxidation, while the half-reaction at the cathode involves reduction. The potential difference between the two electrodes is called the cell potential. The standard cell potential is calculated using the standard electrode potentials of the half-reactions.

For a spontaneous reaction, the cell potential is positive, and the reaction proceeds in the forward direction. The Nernst equation can be used to calculate the cell potential under non-standard conditions.

Questions:

  1. In a galvanic cell, the anode is where:

    • A) Reduction occurs
    • B) Oxidation occurs
    • C) The salt bridge is connected
    • D) Electrons flow into the external circuit
    • Answer: B) Oxidation occurs
  2. The cell potential of a galvanic cell can be calculated by:

    • A) Adding the standard electrode potentials of the two half-cells
    • B) Subtracting the standard electrode potentials of the two half-cells
    • C) Using the Nernst equation
    • D) Both A and C
    • Answer: D) Both A and C
  3. A positive cell potential in a galvanic cell indicates:

    • A) The reaction is non-spontaneous
    • B) The reaction is at equilibrium
    • C) The reaction is spontaneous
    • D) The cell is in a state of high temperature
    • Answer: C) The reaction is spontaneous
  4. The salt bridge in a galvanic cell is used to:

    • A) Provide a medium for the transfer of electrons
    • B) Maintain electrical neutrality in the half-cells
    • C) Increase the voltage of the cell
    • D) Prevent the oxidation reaction
    • Answer: B) Maintain electrical neutrality in the half-cells

Case Study 5: Corrosion and Prevention

Case: Corrosion is the process of deterioration of metals due to electrochemical reactions, often involving oxygen and moisture from the environment. The process of corrosion is an example of an electrochemical cell where the metal undergoes oxidation at the surface, and oxygen undergoes reduction. Rusting of iron is a common example of corrosion. The protection of metals from corrosion involves techniques like galvanization (coating the metal with a layer of zinc), cathodic protection, and painting.

Questions:

  1. Corrosion of iron involves:

    • A) The reduction of iron at the anode
    • B) The oxidation of iron at the anode
    • C) The reduction of oxygen at the cathode
    • D) Both B and C
    • Answer: D) Both B and C
  2. Which of the following methods is used to prevent corrosion?

    • A) Galvanization
    • B) Cathodic protection
    • C) Painting
    • D) All of the above
    • Answer: D) All of the above
  3. In the process of rusting, iron loses electrons and is oxidized to:

    • A) Fe²⁺
    • B) Fe³⁺
    • C) FeO
    • D) Fe₂O₃
    • Answer: B) Fe³⁺
  4. The presence of moisture in the environment accelerates corrosion because:

    • A) It increases the rate of oxidation
    • B) It acts as an electrolyte
    • C) It decreases the electrochemical reaction
    • D) It reduces the surface area of the metal
    • Answer: B) It acts as an electrolyte