I thought I had a full understanding of redox and how to do the questions, but for some reaosn this question is completely confusing..and the answer confuses me even more.
2. In an electrochemical cell, an overall negative cell potential means that:
(yes I know the overall is nonspontaneous)
the answer is
the oxidation half reaction potential is greater than that of the reduction half reaction potential
The correct answer is D. This is a pretty hard question, and you have to keep in mind which reactions produce what. The oxidation reaction results in oxidation of a metal and release of electrons, whereas the reduction reaction results in gain of electrons by the receiving metal. Thus, a cell with a negative potential means that the oxidation half reaction potential is greater than that of the reduction half reaction potential, aka the reaction does not proceed forward. Remember, for a reaction to move forward spontaneously, E°cell (electrode potential) must be positive.
Huh? What? I feel like everyhting I have known about redox is a lie haha
2. In an electrochemical cell, an overall negative cell potential means that:
(yes I know the overall is nonspontaneous)
the answer is
the oxidation half reaction potential is greater than that of the reduction half reaction potential
The correct answer is D. This is a pretty hard question, and you have to keep in mind which reactions produce what. The oxidation reaction results in oxidation of a metal and release of electrons, whereas the reduction reaction results in gain of electrons by the receiving metal. Thus, a cell with a negative potential means that the oxidation half reaction potential is greater than that of the reduction half reaction potential, aka the reaction does not proceed forward. Remember, for a reaction to move forward spontaneously, E°cell (electrode potential) must be positive.
Huh? What? I feel like everyhting I have known about redox is a lie haha