Saturday, April 21, 2012

What is the value of the equilibrium constant at 25°C for the reaction between Al(s) and Cd^2+(aq)?

The half cell reactions and the standard electrode potentials at 25 degrees Celsius for the given species are:


`Al^(3+) + 3e^(-) -> Al(s)`


`Cd^(2+) + 2e^(-) -> Cd (s)`


Standard electrode potentials are -1.66 V and -0.4 V


The overall cell reaction between Cd2+ (aq) and Al (s) can be written as:


`Al(s) + Cd^(2+) -> Al^(3+) (aq) + Cd (s)`


and the balanced cell reaction can be written as:


`2Al(s) + 3Cd^(2+) (aq) -> 2Al^(3+) (aq) + 3Cd (s)`


At equilibrium, standard cell potential, E' = +1.66 + (-0.4) V = 1.26 V


Using Nernst equation: E' = (RT/nF) ln K


where, R = 8.314 J/k/mol, n = 6, F = 96500 C/mol, T = 298 K


we get: 1.26 = (8.314 x 298)/(6 x 96500)  ln K


solving the equation, we get, K = 7.6 x 10^127.


Thus, the equilibrium constant at 25 degrees C for the given cell is 7.3 x 10^127.


Hope this helps. 

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