University of The South Pacific EMF

University of the South Pacific
Chemical Principles
CH101.
MEASUREMENT OF CELL EMF AND ELECTRODE

POTENTIALS
Name: Alisha Goundar

Student ID: S11188239
Laboratory Group: Friday 2pm-5pm
Pre – Lab.
1. E˚ red (cathode) - E˚ red (anode) = E˚ cell.
2. Galvanic cell, firstly, converts chemical energy to electrical energy, the
redox reaction is a spontaneous reaction. Also, at the anode which is the
NEGATIVE electrolyte is where oxidation takes place, however, at the
cathode which the positive electrolyte, reduction takes place. The chemical
changes occurring in the two beakers are different.
Electrolytic Cell, this where electrical energy is converted to chemical
energy. The redox reactions are non – spontaneous and take place only
where energy is supplied. The positive electrode is the anode where
oxidation takes place and the negative electrolyte is the cathode where
reduction tales place. Also, only one chemical compound undergoes
decomposition.
3. Materials needed are: 1. Two beakers
2. a salt bridge.
3. 2 electrodes.
4. electrolyte solution.
5. Voltmeter
4. The reaction is going to proceed spontaneously since the cell emf for the
reaction is a positive 1.92 V.
5. E = E˚ - (RT / nF) log Q
= 1.92 – ( (8.314 x 295) / ( x 96500) log ( 0.89/ 1 x 10 -6)
6. The reaction is non- spontaneous because the reaction is positive.
1.0 Introduction.
Cell emf is calculated to determine whether the cell is galvanic or not*.
When a readily reduced redox couple and a readily oxidized couple
combine, it can result in a spontaneous reaction. This energy can be
harnessed into electrical work. Electrochemical cells are cells that are used
is such reactions*.
Cell emf which is the electromotive force may be defined as the source of
energy giving electrons the ability to transport itself around an electric
circuit. The source of an EMF is usually a battery*.
There are many factors that affect the calculation of the measurement of
the cell emf and the electrode potentials. These factors may include;
concentrations, moles, temperatures. When conditions such as
temperatures, pressure are not kept constant the equation that is used is
the Nernst Equation.
E = E˚ - (RT / nF) In Q
In this experiment the electrochemical cells will be assembled in order to
calculate the outputs and potential difference of the components of the
cell.
Moreover, this experiment seeks to accomplish the following such as: to

identify the polarity of individual redox couple in a cell, to compare the
experimental outputs with the theoretical output with supported
explanation for the variations and lastly, to calculate the reduction
potentials of redox couples experimentally.
2.0 Aim.
1. To assemble cells and measure the polarity of the constructed couples.
2. To compare the experimental values with the theoretical values of the
potential difference of redox couple.
3. To use the redox potential numerals obtained experimentally and
determine cell emf and compare with reasons of any variations.
3.0 Experimental.
3.1 Emf and electrode potential.
A cell was assembled as shown in the following image.
1. 25 cm3 of 0.1 M KNO3 solution was poured in an 100 cm3 beaker and the
saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was introduced.
2. In another 100 cm3 beaker, 25 cm3 of 0.1 M AgNO3 solution was poured
and into this the Ag wire was dipped.
3. The electrodes were connected to the terminal of the multimeter. It was
noted that the red socket was positive while the black socket is
negative.
4. The dial on the multimeter was set to mV range and the reading was
taken.
5. The salt bridge was introduced into both beakers and it was made sure
that the salt bridge was not in contact with bare hands.
6. When the voltage read as a negative value, the connections were
interchange on the sockets.
7. The voltage was recorded from the multimeter and the polarity of each
electrode was noted. (i.e. SCE and the metal electrodes.)
8. The experiment was repeated by using the following metal/metal ion
solutions.
a. Ag | Ag+, 0.10 M (AgNO3) || SCE (KNO3)
b. Ag | Ag+, 0.01 M (AgNO3) || SCE (KNO3)
c. Zn | Zn2+, 0.10 M (ZnCl2) || SCE (KNO3)

d. Zn | Zn2+, 0.01 M (ZnCl2) || SCE (KNO3)
e. Cu | Cu2+, 0.10 M (CuSO4) || SCE (KNO3)
f. Cu | Cu2+, 0.01 M (CuSO4) || SCE (KNO3)
3.2 Determination of cell emf experimentally and theoretically.
1. The cells were assembled using the following combinations:
g. Ag | Ag+, Ag(NO3) || Zn | Zn2+, 0.10 M (ZnCl2)
h. Ag | Ag+, Ag(NO3) || Cu | Cu2+, 0.10 M (CuSO4)
i. Zn | Zn2+, (ZnCl2) || Cu | Cu2+, 0.10 M (CuSO4)

2. The potentials were recorded and the polarity of electrodes in each set up. This
was easily determined from the circuit connection.
4.0 Results.
1.
a. Ag: 0.1275 V SCE: anode
b. Ag: 0.0807 V SCE: anode
c. Zn: 1.3007 V SCE: cathode
d. Zn: 1.2447 V SCE: cathode
e. Cu: 0.2861 V SCE: cathode
f. Cu: 0.2977 V SCE: cathode
2.
a. Ag+ + ē → Ag b. a. Ag+ + ē → Ag
c. Zn2+ + 2 ē → Zn d. Zn2+ + 2 ē → Zn
e. Cu2+ + 2 ē → Cu f. Cu2+ + 2 ē → Cu
3.
a. -0.1275 V b. 0.0382 V
c. – 1.3007 V d. -1.1265 V
e. -0.2861 V f. -0.1795 V

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University of the South Pacific

MEASUREMENT OF CELL EMF AND ELECTRODE

Name: Alisha Goundar

Moreover, this experiment seeks to accomplish the following such as: to

c. Zn | Zn2+, 0.10 M (ZnCl2) || SCE (KNO3)

h. Ag | Ag+, Ag(NO3) || Cu | Cu2+, 0.10 M (CuSO4)

i. Zn | Zn2+, (ZnCl2) || Cu | Cu2+, 0.10 M (CuSO4)

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