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Author Topic: Chemistry help - Reduction potential!?  (Read 2632 times)
SarahJ
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« on: August 17, 2011, 03:00:38 AM »

I'm doing a chem practical and this is one of the questions..I don't really understand what it's on about though :S Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A positive reading on the voltmeter indicates that electrons are flowing from the negative connector (the lead (Pb) electrode) and into the positive connector (the copper (Cu) electrode). A negative reading on the voltmeter indicates electrons are flowing in the opposite direction. If a positive reading were obtained, would oxidation or reduction be occuring at the lead (Pb) electrode? .....................

Write the half equation........................

Write the half equation for the reaction that is occuring at the copper electrode..........................

Thank you very much Smiley
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Tara
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« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2011, 01:02:37 PM »

in a galvanic cell positivity or negativity of voltmeter depends on how its is connected .
if - near - and + near + it shows positive number and if - near + and + near - it shows negative number.
you can figure it out that Pb is anode because in the correct connection of voltmeter (first one that shows positive numbers) electrons are flowing from Pb to Cu.(electrons always go from anode to cathode)
or you can simply look at electrochemical series .Pb is upper(or more negative) in the electrochemical series and it wants to lose electron so it is anode(-) , where oxidation happens.
so the half equation would be :
Pb----->Pb^2+ + 2e^-

copper electrode is cathode where reduction happens and it's half equation would be:
Cu^2+ + 2e^- ------>Cu
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