Question #0aadc
1 Answer
Here's what I got.
Explanation:
The first thing to do when dealing with similar problems is to write out the reduction equilibria given to you
#"Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+) + color(white)(1)"e"^(-) rightleftharpoons "Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+)" "E^@ = +"1.72 V"#
#"Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) + 2"e"^(-) rightleftharpoons "Fe"_ ((s))" "E^@ = -"0.44 V"#
For a given reduction equilibrium, the value of the standard reduction potential,
When
When
Now, when you compare two
- the reduction equilibrium that has the less negative / more positive
#E^@# value will shift to the right- the reduction equilibrium that the more negative / less positive
#E^@# value will shift to the left
In your case, the
#"Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+) + color(white)(1)"e"^(-) rightleftharpoons "Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+)" "E_"red"^@ = +"1.72 V"#
#stackrel( color(red)( rarr ))(color(white)(aacolor(darkgreen)("shift to the right")aaaa))#
Since the forward reaction proceeds here, you can say that this is your reduction half-reaction
#"Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+) + color(white)(1)"e"^(-) -> "Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+)" "E_"red"^@ = +"1.72 V"#
Likewise, you will get
#"Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) + 2"e"^(-) rightleftharpoons "Fe"_ ((s))" "E_"oxi"^@ = -(-"0.44 V") = +"0.44 V"#
#stackrel( color(red)( larr ))(color(white)(aacolor(darkgreen)("shift to the left")aaaa))#
The reverse reaction proceeds here, so reverse the sign of
#"Fe"_ ((s)) -> "Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) + 2"e"^(-)" "E_"oxi"^@ = +"0.44 V"#
You can now balance and add the two half-reactions to get
#{("Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+) + color(white)(1)"e"^(-) -> "Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+)" " " " " "| xx 2), (color(white)(aaaaaa)"Fe"_ ((s)) -> "Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) + 2"e"^(-)):}#
#color(white)(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)/color(white)(a)#
#2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+) + "Fe"_ ((s)) + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2"e"^(-)))) -> 2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+) + "Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) + color(red)(cancel(color(black)(2"e"^(-))))#
You thus have
#2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+) + "Fe"_ ((s)) -> 2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+) + "Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+) #
The standard cell potential will be equal to
#E_"cell"^@ = E_"red"^@ + E_"oxi"^@#
#E_"cell"^@ = +"1.72 V" + "0.44 V" = "2.16 V#
Now you're ready to answer the questions given to you.
#"Ce"^(4+)# is a weaker oxidizing agent than#"Fe"^(2+)#
This one is not true. The fact that the reaction proceeds in this direction, i.e.
Similarly, iron metal,
#overbrace(2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(4+))^(color(blue)("stronger oxi agent")) + underbrace("Fe"_ ((s)))_ (color(purple)("stronger red agent")) -> underbrace(2"Ce"_ ((aq))^(3+))_ (color(purple)("weaker red agent")) + overbrace("Fe"_ ((aq))^(2+))^(color(blue)("weaker oxi agent"))#
#"Ce"^(4+)# will reduce#"Fe"^(2+)#
This one is also not true.
#"Ce"^(4+)# is a stronger oxidizng agent than#"Fe"^(2+)#
This one is true, as shown above.
#"Ce"^(4+)# will oxidize#"Fe"#
This one is also true, as shown above.