Question

A student made measurements on some electrochemical cells and calculated three quantities: • The standard reaction free energy AG'. • The equilibrium constant K at 25.0 °C. • The cell potential under standard conditions E. His results are listed below. Unfortunately, the student may have made some mistakes. Examine his results carefully and tick the box next to the incorrect quantity in each row, if any. Note: If there is a mistake in a row, only one of the three quantities listed is wrong. Also, you may assume the number of significant digits in each quantity is correct. Also note: for each cell, the number n of electrons transferred per redox reaction is 2.

Answer 1

there are 3 ways to check spontaneous:

Eo > 0

or

Go is negative

or

Kc > 1

cell A:

Go suggests its spontaneous

K suggests its spontaneous

Eo suggests its non spontaneous

Answer: Eo

cell B:

Go suggests its non spontaneous

K suggests its spontaneous

Eo suggests its non spontaneous

Answer: K

cell C:

Go suggests its non spontaneous

K suggests its spontaneous

Eo suggests its spontaneous

Answer: Go