Electrochemistry: Electrode Potential

Abstract

Chemical reactions can be used to produce electricity and electricity can be used to cause chemical reactions through oxidation-reduction reactions. The first part of the experiment measures the standard electrode potentials of five various half cells against the Cu2+(1M)|Cu half cell. The last three half cells are prepared through electrolysis. The electrode potentials of all reactions are positive which means that they are spontaneous. There is a significant percent difference from the theoretical and the experimental standard electrode potentials. The sources of error are incorrect solution preparation and contaminated materials. The second part of the experiment uses standard electrode potentials to predict whether or not a reaction will occur and eventually test that prediction. All the standard electrode potentials are positive which means that they are spontaneous, as directly observed. There is also a percent difference from the theoretical and experimental cell potentials. The sources of error are also incorrect solution preparations, contaminated glasswares and materials, and the resistance of the electrodes.

Keywords: cell potential, half-cell,