Question

Assuming standard states for all reactants and products, determine the instantaneous direction of the following reaction: Cu + 2HCl = CuCl2 + H2 One student then did an experiment by immersing a pure copper coupon in concentration pure hydrochloric acid, and observed that the coupon was rapidly corroding, accompanied by the evolution of gas bubbles. Does this experimental observation contradict to (or agree with the direction you determined earlier in (i)? Calculate a cell potential to prove your answer, making any necessary assumptions.

Answer 1

cu + 2HCl = Cuclz +Hz 2H*tzel - H₂ E = or cu → Cutz + 286 OE = -0.34 V 2#t till G cut2 + H2(9) JE = -0.34 V AE = -ve =) non-sportaneous reactions, ri Hy Is conc Hol ® observation is different from thesretical one. Due to High Concentration of Helstu is corroding. In observation cu acting as anode. Ht is reduced as Hy gas. w