This is a question that I'm really struggling with (specifically part b):
A galvanic cell is based on the following half reactions:
Ag
+ (aq) + e
- Ag (s) E = 0.80 V
Cu
2+ (aq) + 2e
- Cu (s) E = 0.34 V
In this cell, the silver compartment contains a silver electrode and excess AgCl(s) (K
sp= 1.6*10
-10) and the copper compartment contains a copper electrode and [Cu
2+] = 2.0 M
a) Calculate the potential for this cell at 25 deg C.
This part I got pretty quickly. I just used Nernst equation; b/c Ag is the better oxidizing agent, it is the cathode; on the other hand, Cu is the anode to get an answer of .1617 V.
b) Assuming 1.0 L of 2.0 M Cu
2+ in the copper compartment, calculate the moles of NH
3 that would be added to give a cell potential of 0.52 V at 25 deg C (Assume no volume change on addition of ammonia).
Cu
2+ (aq) + 4NH
3 (aq)
[Cu(NH3)
4]
2+ (aq) K = 1.0*10
13