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EXPERIMENT 1A: DETERMINING THE VOLTAGE OF THE VOLTAIC CELL.
You are required to conduct an experiment to determine the voltage of a voltaic cell by using
different pairs of metals. You are required to write a report for the experiment. Your report
should include the following items:
Title
Aim of the experiment
Problem statement
Hypothesis
Variables:
(i) Manipulated variables
(ii) Responding variables
(iii) Fixed variables
Operational definition of chemical cell
Materials and Apparatus
Procedure & Precaution step
Results of experiment
Analysing and interpreting data
Based on the observations, for each of the experiment, write the half equation for
oxidation reaction, half equation for reduction reaction and the ionic equation.
Discussion
In your report, the following questions can be used as guidelines for discussion.
1. If the experiment repeated by using a chemical cell that combines two half-cells,
write the notations for each of the cell.
2. Calculate the theoretical voltage of the cells using the standard electrode
potential value of the half-cells.
3. Deduce the relationship between the pair of metals and the voltage of the cells.
Conclusion
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SCORING (Category A)
EXPERIMENT 1A: DETERMINING THE VOLTAGE OF THE VOLTAIC CELL.
ITEM ELABORATION MARKS
Title Determining the voltage of the voltaic cell (simple chemical cell)
To determine the voltage of a voltaic cell by using different pairs of
Aim
metals
1
Problem How can different pairs of metals dipped into electrolytes affect the
statement voltage of the voltaic cell?
The pairs of metals with greater difference of standard electrode
Hypothesis 1
potential value will produce greater voltage/voltmeter reading.
Manipulated : Pair of metals 1
Variables Responding : the voltage of the cell // voltmeter reading 1
Fixed : Volume and concentration of electrolytes 1
Operational
Voltmeter readings shows electric current is produced(what you
definition-
observe) when different types of pairs of metals are dipped into
chemical
electrolyte.(what you do)
cell ?
1.0 mol dm-3 copper(II) nitrate solution, copper strip, lead strip, iron
Materials
nail, zinc strip, magnesium ribbon and sandpaper
1
3
Apparatus Voltmeter, 250 cm beaker, connecting wires with crocodile clips
Diagram 1
1. Magnesium ribbon, iron nail, zinc strip, lead strip, copper strip
were cleaned by using sandpapers.
2. 1.0 mol dm-3 copper(II) nitrate solution was poured into a beaker 1
until half full.
3. Magnesium ribbon and copper strip were connected to a 1
voltmeter by using connecting wires.
Procedure
4. Magnesium ribbon and copper strip were immersed/dipped into 1
the copper(II) nitrate solution to complete the circuit.
5. The reading of voltmeter, metal at the negative terminal and metal
at the positive terminal was recorded.
6. Steps 2-5 were repeated using zinc strip, iron nail and lead strip
to replace magnesium ribbon
Handle & Handle the experiment 1
Cleaning Clean the apparatus 1
Precaution Clean each of the metals using a piece of sandpaper. 1
3
ITEM ELABORATION MARKS
Voltage of Negative terminal of
Pair of metals
the cell/ V the cell 1
Magnesium and copper 2.7 Magnesium
Results Zinc and copper 1.1 Zinc 1
Iron and copper 0.8 Iron
Lead and copper 0.5 Lead
Copper and copper 0.0 -
Inference :
The difference of standard electrode potential value between 1
magnesium and copper is the highest compared to the other pairs of
electrodes.
Pair of metals Magnesium and copper
Half equation of oxidation Mg Mg2+ + 2e
Half equation of reduction Cu2+ + 2e Cu
Ionic equation Mg + Cu2+ Mg2+ + Cu
Pair of metals Zinc and copper
Half equation of oxidation Zn Zn2+ + 2e
Analysing Half equation of reduction Cu2+ + 2e Cu
data Ionic equation Zn + Cu2+ Zn2+ + Cu
Pair of metals Iron and copper
Half equation of oxidation Fe Fe2+ + 2e
Half equation of reduction Cu2+ + 2e Cu
Ionic equation Fe + Cu2+ Fe2+ + Cu
Pair of metals Lead and copper
Half equation of oxidation Pb Pb2+ + 2e
Half equation of reduction Cu2+ + 2e Cu
Ionic equation Pb + Cu2+ Pb2+ + Cu
1.
Pair of metal Cell notation
Mg/Cu 1
Zn/Cu
Discussion 1
Fe/Cu
Pb/Cu
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ITEM ELABORATION MARKS
2.
Pair of metal Theoretical value of voltage of cell, E0cell /V
Mg/Cu E0cell = (+0.34) –(-2.38) = +2.72 V
Zn/Cu E0cell = (+0.34) –(-0.76) = +1.10 V
Fe/Cu E0cell = (+0.34) –(-0.44) = +0.78 V
Pb/Cu E0cell = (+0.34) –(-0.13) = +0.47 V
3. The greater the difference of standard electrode potential, E0
value for the pair of metals, the greater the voltage of the cell.
The greater the difference of standard electrode potential, E0
Conclusion 1
value for the pair of metals, the greater the voltage of the cell.
Teamwork 1
Total 20
OTHER ANSWER FOR PROCEDURE: INVOLVES CHEMICAL CELL OF THE
COMBINATION OF TWO HALF CELLS
ITEM ELABORATION MARKS
1.0 mol dm-3 magnesium nitrate solution, 1.0 mol dm -3 zinc nitrate solution,
1.0 mol dm-3 iron(II) nitrate solution, 1.0 mol dm -3 lead(II) nitrate solution,1.0
Materials
mol dm-3 copper(II) nitrate solution, copper strip, lead strip, iron nail, zinc 1
strip, magnesium ribbon and sandpaper
Apparatus Voltmeter, 150 cm3 beaker, porous pot, connecting wires with crocodile clips
Diagram 1
1. Magnesium ribbon, iron nail, zinc strip, lead strip, copper strip
were cleaned by using sandpapers.
2. 1.0 mol dm-3 copper(II) nitrate solution was poured into a beaker until 1
half full and 1.0 mol dm-3 magnesium nitrate solution into a porous pot .
3. Porous pot is placed into the beaker. 1
4. Magnesium ribbon and copper strip were connected to a voltmeter by
using connecting wires. 1
5. Magnesium ribbon is immersed/dipped into magnesium nitrate solution
Procedure and copper strip is immersed/dipped into copper(II) nitrate solution to
complete the circuit.
6. The reading of voltmeter, metal at the negative terminal and metal
at the positive terminal was recorded.
7. Steps 2-6 were repeated using iron(II) nitrate solution, zinc nitrate
solution, lead(II) nitrate solution to replace magnesium nitrate solution in
the porous pot and using iron nail , zinc strip, and lead strip to replace
magnesium ribbon.
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