In a galvanic cell, if the anode reaction is Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag, what is the cathode reaction?
Practice Questions
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Q1
In a galvanic cell, if the anode reaction is Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag, what is the cathode reaction?
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu
Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Zn
Fe²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Fe
Pb²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Pb
The cathode reaction must be a reduction; Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag is the anode reaction.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: In a galvanic cell, if the anode reaction is Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag, what is the cathode reaction?
Solution: The cathode reaction must be a reduction; Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag is the anode reaction.
Steps: 7
Step 1: Understand that a galvanic cell has two electrodes: anode and cathode.
Step 2: Know that the anode is where oxidation occurs, and the cathode is where reduction happens.
Step 3: Identify the given anode reaction: Ag⁺ + e⁻ → Ag. This means silver ions (Ag⁺) gain an electron (e⁻) to become solid silver (Ag).
Step 4: Since the anode reaction is a reduction (gain of electrons), the cathode reaction must be the opposite process, which is oxidation (loss of electrons).
Step 5: To find the cathode reaction, we need to know what species is being oxidized. In a typical galvanic cell, the cathode reaction will involve a species that loses electrons.
Step 6: If we assume that the other half-reaction involves a metal like zinc (Zn), the cathode reaction could be Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻, where zinc loses electrons.
Step 7: Conclude that the cathode reaction is the oxidation of a different species, which is not provided in the question.
