Answer to Question #279524 in General Chemistry for Papi

Question

CHEM131 Chemistry for Engineers

Problem Set no. 1

1.

For the following half

-

reactions, answer the questions below.

Ce⁴⁺(aq) + e^- ====> Ce³ + (aq) E° = +1.61 V

Ag⁺(aq) + e^- ====>aq(s) E° = +0.80 V

Hg₂²⁺(aq) + 2e^- ====> 2Hg(I) E° = +0.80 V

Sn²⁺(aq) + 2e^- ====> Sn(s) E° = -0.14 V

Ni²⁺(aq) + 2e^- ====> Ni(s) E° = -0.24V

A1³⁺(aq) + 3e^- ====> A1(s) E° = -1.68V

a.Which is the weakest oxidizing agent?

b.Which is the strongest oxidizing agent?

c.Which is the strongest reducing agent?

d.Which is the weakest reducing agent?

e.Will Sn(s) reduce Ag+(aq) to Ag(s)?

f.Will Hg(l) reduce Sn2+(aq) to Sn(s)?

g.Which ion(s) can be reduced by Sn(s)?

h.Which metal(s) can be oxidized by Ag+(aq)?

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Answer 1

Before we answer the questions, we need to highlight the following points.

• The more positive the E⁰ value, the stronger the oxidizing property and therefore the weaker the reducing property. Thus the strongest oxidizing agents/weakest reducing agents are the ions with the most positive E⁰
• The more negative the E⁰ value, the stronger the reducing property, and therefore the weaker the oxidizing property. Therefore, the ions with the most negative E0 value are the strongest reducing agents/the weakest oxidizing agents.
• Taking all that into consideration, the answers are;

a.Which is the weakest oxidizing agent?

Al³⁺

b.Which is the strongest oxidizing agent?

Ce⁴⁺

c.Which is the strongest reducing agent?

Al³⁺

d.Which is the weakest reducing agent?

Ce⁴⁺

e.Will Sn(s) reduce Ag+(aq) to Ag(s)?

Yes

f.Will Hg(l) reduce Sn2+(aq) to Sn(s)?

No

g.Which ion(s) can be reduced by Sn(s)?

Only Al³⁺

h.Which metal(s) can be oxidized by Ag+(aq)?

Only Ce