OCR A2 CHEMISTRY

TOPIC 5.2.3

ELECTRODE POTENTIALS

BOOKLET OF PAST EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

TOTAL 133 MARKS

Name:………………………………………………………….

MARK: /133 % GRADE:

1. (a) Define the term oxidising agent in terms of electrons.

..................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 1 mark)

2. Use the data in the table below, where appropriate, to answer the questions which follow.

Standard electrode potentials Eο/V

Fe3+(aq) + e–  Fe2+(aq) +0.77
Cl2(g) + 2e–  2Cl–(aq) +1.36
2BrO3 (aq) + 12H+ (aq) + 10e–  Br2(aq) + 6H2O(l) +1.52
–
O3(g) + 2H (aq) + 2e  O2(g) + H2O(l)
+
+2.08
F2O(g) + 2H+(aq) + 4e–  2F–(aq) + H2O(l) +2.15
Each of the above can be reversed under suitable conditions.

(a) (i) Identify the most powerful reducing agent in the table.

...........................................................................................................................

(ii) Identify the most powerful oxidising agent in the table.

...........................................................................................................................

(iii) Identify all the species in the table which can be oxidised in acidic solution by BrO
–
3 (aq).

...........................................................................................................................
(4)

(b) The cell represented below was set up.

Pt|Fe2+ (aq), Fe3+ (aq) || BrO 3– (aq), Br2(aq)|Pt

(i) Deduce the e.m.f. of this cell.

...........................................................................................................................

(ii) Write a half-equation for the reaction occurring at the negative electrode when
current is taken from this cell.

...........................................................................................................................

(iii) Deduce what change in the concentration of Fe3+(aq) would cause an increase in the
e.m.f. of the cell. Explain your answer.

Change in concentration ..................................................................................

Explanation ......................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 10 marks)
3. Use the data below, where appropriate, to answer the following questions.

Standard electrode potentials E /V

S2O 2
8
(aq) + 2e–  2SO 24 – (aq) +2.01
MnO 4– (aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e–  Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.51
– –
Cl2(aq) + 2e  2Cl (aq) +1.36
Cr2 O 72– (aq) + 14H+(aq) + 6e–  2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) +1.33
NO3– (aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e–  HNO2(aq) + H2O(l) +0.94
–
3+
Fe (aq) + e  2+
Fe (aq) +0.77

(a) From the table above, select the species which is the most powerful reducing agent.

.....................………………………………………………………………………….
(1)

(b) Deduce the oxidation state of

(i) chromium in Cr2 O 72– ………………………………………………………..

(ii) nitrogen in HNO2 ……………………………………………………………

(2)

(c) (i) Calculate the e.m.f. of the cell represented by


Pt | Mn2+(aq), MnO 4
(aq) || S2 O82– (aq), SO 24 – (aq) | Pt

...........………………………………………………………………………….

(ii) Deduce an equation for the reaction which occurs when an excess of S2 O82– (aq) is
added to an aqueous solution of Mn2+(aq) ions.

...........………………………………………………………………………….

...........………………………………………………………………………….

...........………………………………………………………………………….
(3)
(Total 13 marks)
4. Use the standard electrode potential data given in the table below, where appropriate, to answer
the questions which follow.

E /V

V 3+(aq) + e– V 2+(aq) –0.26

2–
SO4 (aq) + 4H +(aq) + 2e – H 2 SO 3 (aq) + H 2O +0.17
VO (aq) + 2H +(aq)
2+
+ e– V 3+(aq) + H 2 O(l) +0.34
O 2 (g) + 2H +(aq) + 2e – H 2O2 (aq) +0.68
Fe 3+(aq) + e– Fe 2+(aq) +0.77
VO+2 (aq) + 2H +(aq) + e– VO 2+(aq) + H 2 O(l) +1.00
2IO–3 (aq) + 12H +(aq) + 10e – I 2 (aq) + 6H 2O(l) +1.19
–
MnO 4 (aq) + 8H +(aq) + 5e – Mn 2+(aq) + 4H 2 O(l) +1.52

Each of the above can be reversed under suitable conditions.

(a) The cell represented below was set up under standard conditions.

Pt | H2SO3(aq), SO 2
(aq), || Fe3+(aq), Fe2+(aq) |Pt
4

(i) Calculate the e.m.f. of this cell.

........................................................................................…...............................

(ii) Write a half-equation for the oxidation process occurring at the negative electrode of
this cell.

........................................................................................…...............................
(2)
(b) The cell represented below was set up under standard conditions.

Pt | H2O2(aq), O2(g) || IO 3 (aq), I2(aq) |Pt

(i) Write an equation for the spontaneous cell reaction.

........................................................................................…...............................

........................................................................................…...............................

........................................................................................…...............................

(ii) Give one reason why the e.m.f. of this cell changes when the electrodes are
connected and a current flows.

........................................................................................…...............................

(iii) State how, if at all, the e.m.f. of this standard cell will change if the surface area
of each platinum electrode is doubled.

........................................................................................…...............................


(iv) State how, if at all, the e.m.f. of this cell will change if the concentration of IO 3

ions is increased. Explain your answer.

Change, if any, in e.m.f. of cell .........................................................................

Explanation .......................................................................................................

........................................................................................…...............................
(7)

(c) An excess of acidified potassium manganate(VII) was added to a solution containing

V2+(aq) ions. Use the data given in the table to determine the vanadium species present
in the solution at the end of this reaction. State the oxidation state of vanadium in this
species and write a half-equation for its formation from V2+(aq).

Vanadium species present at end of reaction .............................................................

Oxidation state of vanadium in final species ..............................................................

Half-equation ..............................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 12 marks)
5. Use the table of standard electrode potentials given below to answer the following questions.

E /V

Cl2(g) + 2e–  2Cl–(aq) + 1.36

Br2(l) + 2e–  2Br–(aq) +1.07
NO3– (aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e–  HNO2(aq) + H2O(1) +0.94
–
Fe (aq) + e  Fe (aq)
3+ 2+
+0.77
I2(aq) + 2e–  2I–(aq) +0.54
VO2+(aq) + 2H+(aq) + e–  V3+(aq) + H2O(1) +0.34
V3+(aq) + e–  V2+(aq) –0.26
Fe2+(aq) + 2e–  Fe(s) –0.44

(a) In terms of electron transfer, define the term oxidising agent.

....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) (i) Give the conditions under which the electrode potential for Cl2(g)/2Cl–(aq) is
+1.36 V.

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

(ii) Give a change in one of these conditions which would result in the electrode
potential becoming more positive. Explain your answer.

Change in conditions .......................................................................................

Explanation ......................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(5)

(c) (i) Which of the reducing agents in the table is the weakest?

..........................................................................................................................

(ii) Identify all the species in the table which could convert I–aq) into I2(aq) but which
could not convert Br–(aq) into Br2(l).

..........................................................................................................................

(iii) Identify the metal ions which would be left in solution if an excess of powdered iron
metal was added to an acidified solution containing VO2+(aq) ions.

..........................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 11 marks)
6. Use the standard electrode potential data in the table below to answer the questions which follow.

E /V
_____________________________________________________________

Ce4+(aq) + e– Ce3+(aq) +1.70

MnO4–(aq) + 8H+(aq)+ 5e– Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.51
Cl2(g) + 2e– 2Cl–(aq) +1.36
VO2+(aq) +2H+(aq) + e– VO2+(aq) + H2O(l) +1.00
Fe3+(aq) + e– Fe2+(aq) +0.77
SO42–(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 2e– H2SO3(aq) + H2O(l) +0.17

(a) Name the standard reference electrode against which all other electrode potentials are
measured.

...............................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) When the standard electrode potential for Fe3+(aq) / Fe2+(aq) is measured, a platinum
electrode is required.

(i) What is the function of the platinum electrode?

......................................................................................................................

(ii) What are the standard conditions which apply to Fe3+(aq)/Fe2+(aq) when measuring
this potential?

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................
(3)

(c) The cell represented below was set up under standard conditions.

Pt|H2SO3(aq), SO42–(aq)||MnO4–(aq), Mn2+(aq)|Pt

Calculate the e.m.f. of this cell and write an equation for the spontaneous cell reaction.

Cell e.m.f. ...............................................................................................................

Equation..................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................
(3)
 (d) (i) Which one of the species given in the table is the strongest oxidising agent?

.....................................................................................................................

(ii) Which of the species in the table could convert Fe2+(aq) into Fe3+(aq) but could not
convert Mn2+(aq) into MnO4–(aq)?

.....................................................................................................................
(3)

(e) Use data from the table of standard electrode potentials to deduce the cell which would
have a standard e.m.f. of 0.93 V. Represent this cell using the convention shown in part (c).

..............................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

7. Large blocks of magnesium are bolted onto the hulls of iron ships in an attempt to prevent the iron
being converted into iron(II), one of the steps in the rusting process.

Use the data below, where appropriate, to answer the questions which follow.

E /V
2+ –
Mg (aq) + 2e Mg(s) –2.37
Fe2+(aq) + 2e– Fe(s) –0.44
O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e– 4OH–(aq) +0.40

(a) Calculate the e.m.f. of the cell represented by Mg(s)|Mg2+(aq)||Fe2+(aq)|Fe(s) under

standard conditions. Write a half-equation for the reaction occurring at the negative
electrode of this cell when a current is drawn.

Cell e.m.f. ...............................................................................................................

Half-equation .........................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Deduce how the e.m.f. of the cell Mg(s)|Mg2+(aq)||Fe2+(aq)|Fe(s) changes when the
concentration of Mg2+ is decreased. Explain your answer.

Change in e.m.f. ......................................................................................................

Explanation .............................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
(3)
 (c) Calculate a value for the e.m.f. of the cell represented by
Pt(s)|OH–(aq)|O2(g)||Fe2+(aq)|Fe(s) and use it to explain why iron corrodes when in contact
with water which contains dissolved oxygen.

Cell e.m.f. ...............................................................................................................

Explanation ............................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

8. The table below shows some values for standard electrode potentials.

Electrode Electrode reaction E /V

A Mn2+(aq) + 2e– Mn(s) – 1.18

B Fe2+(aq) + 2e– Fe(s) – 0.44

C Ni2+(aq) + 2e– Ni(s) – 0.25

D Sn2+(aq) + 2e– Sn(s) – 0.14

E 2H+(g)+ 2e– H2(g) ?

(a) (i) Give the name of electrode E and indicate its role in the determination of standard
electrode potentials.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) What is the value of the standard electrode potential for electrode E?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(b) The electrochemical cell set up between electrodes C and D can be represented by the cell
diagram:

2+ 2+
Ni(s) Ni (aq) Sn (aq) Sn(s)

(i) Calculate the e.m.f. of this cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) State which would be the positive electrode.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii) Write an equation to show the overall reaction in the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c) Use the standard electrode potential data given in the table above:

(i) to explain whether or not you would expect a reaction to occur if a piece of tin were
to be added to a test tube containing aqueous iron(II) sulphate;

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) to predict and explain two observations you would expect to make if a small piece of
manganese were to be added to a test tube containing hydrochloric acid of
concentration 1 mol dm–3.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 12 marks)
9. Use the data below to answer the questions that follow

Reaction at 298 K E /V

Ag+(aq) + e– Ag(s)+ +0.08

AgF(s) + e– Ag(s) + F–(aq) +0.78

AgCl(s) + e– Ag(s) + Cl–(aq) +0.22

AgBr(s) + e– Ag(s) + Br–(aq) +0.07

H+(aq) + e– ½ H2(g) 0.00

D+ (aq) + e– ½ D2(g) –0.004

AgI(s) + e– Ag(s) + I–(aq) –0.15

2
The symbol D denotes deuterium, which is heavy hydrogen, 1
H.

(a) By considering electron transfer, state what is meant by the term oxidising agent.

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) State which of the two ions, H+(aq) or D+(aq), is the more powerful oxidising agent. Write
an equation for the spontaneous reaction which occurs when a mixture of aqueous
H+ ions and D+ ions are in contact with a mixture of hydrogen and deuterium gas. Deduce
the e.m.f. of the cell in which this reaction would occur spontaneously.

Stronger oxidising agent..........................................................................................

Equation...................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

e.m.f..........................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................
(3)
 (c) Write an equation for the spontaneous reaction which occurs when aqueous F– ions and Cl–
ions are in contact with a mixture of solid AgF and solid AgCl. Deduce the e.m.f. of the cell
in which this reaction would occur spontaneously.

Equation....................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

e.m.f..........................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d) Silver does not usually react with dilute solutions of strong acids to liberate hydrogen.

(i) State why this is so.

........................................................................................................................

(ii) Suggest a hydrogen halide which might react with silver to liberate hydrogen in
aqueous solution. Write an equation for the reaction and deduce the e.m.f. of the cell
in which this reaction would occur spontaneously.

Hydrogen halide...........................................................................................

Equation..........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

e.m.f................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

10. (a) The following reaction occurs in aqueous solution.

–
5S2O 82 – + Br2 + 6H2O  2BrO 3 + 12H+ + 10SO 2–
4

Identify the reducing agent in this reaction and write a half-equation for its action.

Reducing agent ...........................................................................................................

Half-equation ..............................................................................................................
(2)
(b) The electrode potential for the half-equation

Co2+(aq) + 2e Co(s)

is measured by reference to a standard hydrogen electrode.

(i) State the temperature at which the standard electrode potential E is measured, and
give the concentration of Co2+(aq) that must be used.

Temperature .....................................................................................................

Concentration ..................................................................................................

(ii) Electrode potentials are usually measured by reference to a secondary standard

electrode. Identify a secondary standard electrode and give a reason why it is used
rather than a standard hydrogen electrode.

Secondary standard electrode ..........................................................................

Reason ..............................................................................................................
(4)
(c) Cobalt in oxidation states +2 and +3 forms complex ions with water, ammonia and cyanide
ligands. Use, where appropriate, the data given below to answer the questions which
follow.

[Co(H2O)6]3+(aq) + e–  [Co(H2O)6]2+(aq) E = +1.81 V

1
2 O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e–  H2O(l) E = +1.23 V

[Co(NH3)6]3+(aq) + e–  [Co(NH3)6]2+(aq) E = +0.10 V

2H+(aq) + 2e–  H2(g) E = 0.00 V

[Co(CN)6]3–(aq) + e–  [Co(CN)6]4–(aq) E = –0.80 V

(i) Which of the six cobalt species shown above is the most powerful oxidising agent?

.......................................................…….............................................................

(ii) Identify a cobalt(II) species which cannot be oxidised by gaseous oxygen.

.......................................................…….............................................................

(iii) Hydrogen is evolved when a salt containing the cobalt species [Co(CN)6]4–(aq) is
reacted with a dilute acid. Use the electrode potentials given above to explain the
formation of the hydrogen gas.

.......................................................…….............................................................

.......................................................…….............................................................

.......................................................…….............................................................
(4)
(Total 10 marks)
11. The table below shows some values for standard electrode potentials. These data should be used,
where appropriate, to answer the questions that follow concerning the chemistry of copper and
iron.

Electrode reaction E /V

Fe2+(aq) + 2e– Fe(s) – 0.44

2H+(aq) + 2e– H2(g) 0.00

Cu2+(aq) + 2e– Cu(s) + 0.34

O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e– 4OH–(aq) + 0.40

–
NO 3 (aq) + 4H+(aq) +3e– NO(g) + 2H2O(l) + 0.96

(a) Write an equation to show the reaction that occurs when iron is added to a solution of a
copper(II) salt.

...................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) A similar overall reaction to that shown in (a) would occur if an electrochemical cell was
set up between copper and iron electrodes.

(i) Write down the cell diagram to represent the overall reaction in the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Calculate the e.m.f. of the cell.

(1)

(c) (i) Use the standard electrode potential data given to explain why copper reacts with
dilute nitric acid but has no reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii) Write an equation for the reaction between copper and dilute nitric acid.

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
 (d) Although iron is a widely used metal, it has a major disadvantage in that it readily corrodes
in the presence of oxygen and water. The corrosion is an electrochemical process which
occurs on the surface of the iron.

(i) Use the standard electrode potential data given to write an equation for the overall
reaction that occurs in the electrochemical cell set up between iron, oxygen and
water.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) State, with a reason, whether the iron acts as the anode or cathode of the cell.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii) Predict and explain whether or not you would expect a similar corrosion reaction to
occur with copper in the presence of oxygen and water.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 14 marks)

12. (a) Name the standard reference electrode against which electrode potentials are measured and,
for this electrode, state the conditions to which the term standard refers.

Name ..........................................................................................................................

Conditions ..................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................
(4)
 (b) The standard electrode potentials for two electrode reactions are given below.

S2O 82 – (aq) + 2e–  2SO 24 – (aq) E = + 2.01 V

Ag+(aq) + e–  Ag(s) E = + 0.80 V

(i) A cell is produced when these two half-cells are connected.

Deduce the cell potential, E , for this cell and write an equation for the spontaneous
reaction.

E value ...........................................................................................................

Equation ............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

(ii) State how, if at all, the electrode potential of the S2O 82 – /SO 2–
4 equilibrium would
2–
change if the concentration of SO 4 ions was increased.
Explain your answer.

Change, if any, in electrode potential ...............................................................

Explanation .......................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................
(6)
(Total 10 marks)

13. For each of the reactions listed below

(i) identify which species, if any, are acting as oxidising agents;

(ii) determine the oxidation states before and after reaction of any species that are
oxidised;

(iii) write half-equations, including state symbols, for all redox reactions that occur.

2Cu2+(aq) + 4I–(aq)  2CuI(s) + I2(aq)

5H2O2(aq) + 2Mn2+(aq)  2MnO 4– (aq) + 6H+(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Cr2O 72 – (aq) + H2O(l)  2CrO 24 – (aq) + 2H+(aq)

Cl2(aq) + 2OH–(aq)  Cl–(aq) + ClO–(aq) + H2O(l)

(11)
(Total 11 marks)