Representing Cells (AQA A Level Chemistry)

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Representing Cells

  • Electrochemical cells generate electricity from spontaneous redox reactions
  • For example:

Zn (s)  + CuSO4 (aq)→ Cu (s)  + ZnSO4 (aq)

    • Instead of electrons being transferred directly from the zinc to the copper ions, a cell is built which separates the two redox processes
    • For example:

Zn (s)  ⇌  Zn2+ (aq) + 2e– 

  • If a rod of metal is dipped into a solution of its own ions, an equilibrium is set up
  • Each part of the cell is called a half cell

Zinc metal electrode potential, downloadable IB Chemistry revision notes

When a metal is dipped into a solution containing its ions an equilibrium is established between the metal and its ions. This is the basis of a half cell in an electrochemical cell.

  • This is a half cell and the strip of metal is an electrode
  • The position of the equilibrium determines the potential difference between the metal strip and the solution of metal
  • The Zn atoms on the rod can deposit two electrons on the rod and move into solution as Zn2+ ions:

Zn(s) ⇌ Zn2+(aq) + 2e– 

  • This process would result in an accumulation of negative charge on the zinc rod
  • Alternatively, the Zn2+ ions in solution could accept two electrons from the rod and move onto the rod to become Zn atoms:

Zn2+(aq) + 2e–  ⇌ Zn(s)

  • This process would result in an accumulation of positive charge on the zinc rod
  • In both cases, a potential difference is set up between the rod and the solution
  • This is known as an electrode potential
  • A similar electrode potential is set up if a copper rod is immersed in a solution containing copper ions (e.g. CuSO4), due to the following processes:

Cu2+(aq) + 2e–  ⇌ Cu(s)   – reduction (rod becomes positive)

Cu(s) ⇌ Cu2+(aq) + 2e–    – oxidation (rod becomes negative)

Principles of Electrochemistry - Oxidation of Copper, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Oxidation of copper atoms

Principles of Electrochemistry - Reduction of Copper, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Reduction of copper(II) ions

  • Note that a chemical reaction is not taking place – there is simply a potential difference between the rod and the solution
  • The potential difference will depend on
    • the nature of the ions in solution
    • the concentration of the ions in solution
    • the type of electrode used
    • the temperature

Electrode potential

  • The electrode (reduction) potential (E) is a value which shows how easily a substance is reduced
  • These are demonstrated using reversible half equations
    • This is because there is a redox equilibrium between two related species that are in different oxidation states

  • When writing half equations for this topic, the electrons will always be written on the left-hand side (demonstrating reduction)
  • The position of equilibrium is different for different species, which is why different species will have different electrode (reduction) potentials
  • The more positive (or less negative) an electrode potential, the more likely it is for that species to undergo reduction
    • The equilibrium position lies more to the right

  • For example, the positive electrode potential of bromine below, suggests that it is likely to get reduced and form bromide (Br-) ions

Br2(l) + 2e- ⇌ 2Br-(aq)        E = +1.09 V

  • The more negative (or less positive) the electrode potential, the less likely it is that reduction of that species will occur
    • The equilibrium position lies more to the left

  • For example, the negative electrode potential of sodium suggests that it is unlikely that the sodium (Na+) ions will be reduced to sodium (Na) atoms

Na+(aq) + e- ⇌ Na(s)        E = -2.71 V

Conventional Representation of Cells

  • Chemists use a type of shorthand convention to represent electrochemical cells
  • In this convention:
    • A solid vertical (or slanted) line shows a phase boundary, that is an interface between a solid and a solution
    • A double vertical line (sometimes shown as dashed vertical lines) represents a salt bridge
      • A salt bridge has mobile ions that complete the circuit
      • Potassium chloride and potassium nitrate are commonly used to make the salt bridge as chlorides and nitrates are usually soluble
      • This should ensure that no precipitates form which can affect the equilibrium position of the half cells

    • The substance with the highest oxidation state in each half cell is drawn next to the salt bridge
    • The cell potential difference is shown with the polarity of the right hand electrode

  • The cell convention for the zinc and copper cell would be

Zn (s)∣Zn2+ (aq) ∥Cu2+ (aq)∣Cu (s)                  E cell = +1.10 V

  • This tells us the copper half cell is more positive than the zinc half cell, so that electrons would flow from the zinc to the copper
  • The same cell can be written as:

Cu (s)∣Cu2+ (aq) ∥Zn2+ (aq)∣Zn (s)                  E cell = -1.10 V

  • The polarity of the right hand half cell is negative, so we can still tell that electrons flow from the zinc to the copper half cell

Worked example

Writing a cell diagram

If you connect an aluminium electrode to a zinc electrode, the voltmeter reads 0.94V and the aluminium is the negative. Write the conventional cell diagram to the reaction.

Answer

Al (s)∣Al3+ (aq) ∥ Zn2+ (aq)∣Zn (s)                  E cell = +0.94 V

It is also acceptable to include phase boundaries on the outside of cells as well:

∣ Al (s)∣Al3+ (aq) ∥ Zn2+ (aq)∣Zn (s) ∣                  E cell = +0.94 V

Examiner Tip

Students often confuse the redox processes that take place in electrochemical cells.

  • Oxidation takes place at the negative electrode.
  • Reduction takes place at the positive electrode.

Remember, oxidation is the loss of electrons, so you are losing electrons at the negative.

∣ Al (s)∣Al3+ (aq) ∥Zn2+ (aq)∣Zn (s) ∣                  E cell = +0.94 V

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.