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Topic: Electrochemistry question  (Read 2630 times)

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Offline sn1sn2e1e2

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Electrochemistry question
« on: March 24, 2014, 10:53:25 PM »
Given these standard reduction potentials, what is the standard reduction potential for

Co3+(aq) +3e-  :rarrow: Co(s)

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Given:
Co3+(aq) + e-  :rarrow: Co2+(aq)   E°=1.82V

Co2+(aq) + 2e-    :rarrow:  Co(s)   E°=-0.28 V

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When you add them up to get the net equation, you get 1.54 V. But the correct answer is 0.42 V!

Am I missing something?  ???


Offline Corribus

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Re: Electrochemistry question
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2014, 11:40:38 PM »
Reduction potentials aren't strictly additive - removing two electrons in concerted fashion, say, takes a different amount of electrons than removing them sequentially.  You have to do a specific type of conversion.
What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were like a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent?  - Richard P. Feynman

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