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QJEEM19Che15f: JEE Main 2019 Chemistry - Class 12 JEEM19Che15f Solution: For the cell Zn(s)

For the cell Zn(s) |Zn2+ (aq)| |Mx+ (aq)| M(s), different half cells and their standard electrode potentials are given below :

Mx+ (aq)/M(s) Au3+(aq)/Au(s) Ag+(aq)/Ag(s) Fe3+(aq)/Fe2+ (aq) Fe2+(aq)/Fe(s)
E0Mx+/M/(V) 1.40 0.80 0.77 −0.44


If Ezn2+/zn0 = − 0.76 V, which cathode will give maximum value of Eocell per electron transferred?

Multiple Choice Options

  • A Ag+/Ag
  • B Fe3+/Fe2+
  • C Au3+/Au
  • D Fe2+/Fe

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Zn(s) |Zn2+ (aq)| |Mx+ (aq)| M(s)
---------------------------------------
        Anode              Cathode

Eocell = Eocathode – Eoanode

(i) For Ag+/Ag :

Eocell = 0.80 – (– 0.76) = 1.56 V

No of electrons transferred = LCM of valency factor of two electrode

Valency factor of Zn(s) |Zn2+ = 2

Valency factor of Ag+/Ag = 1

LCM of 1 and 2 = 2

∴ No of electrons transferred = 2

∴ Eocell per electron = 1.562 = 0.78

(ii) For Fe3+/Fe2+ :

Eocell = 0.77 – (– 0.76) = 1.53 V

No of electrons transferred = LCM of valency factor of two electrode

Valency factor of Zn(s) |Zn2+ = 2

Valency factor of Fe3+/Fe2+ = 1

LCM of 2 and 1 = 2

∴ No of electrons transferred = 2

∴ Eocell per electron = 1.532 = 0.76

(iii) For Au3+/Au :

Eocell = 1.40 – (– 0.76) = 2.16 V

No of electrons transferred = LCM of valency factor of two electrode

Valency factor of Zn(s) |Zn2+ = 2

Valency factor of Au3+/Au = 3

LCM of 2 and 3 = 6

∴ No of electrons transferred = 6

∴ Eocell per electron = 2.166 = 0.36

(iv) For Fe2+/Fe :

Eocell = –0.44 – (– 0.76) = 0.32 V

No of electrons transferred = LCM of valency factor of two electrode

Valency factor of Zn(s) |Zn2+ = 2

Valency factor of Fe2+/Fe = 2

LCM of 2 and 2 = 2

∴ No of electrons transferred = 2

∴ Eocell per electron = 0.322 = 0.16

Eocell is maximum for EoAg+(aq)/Ag(s) .

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