The Electrochemical Series

Overview

The electrochemical series is a list of elements arranged in order of their standard electrode potentials, measured against the standard hydrogen electrode, which is fixed at 0.00 volts. This series is crucial for predicting the feasibility of redox reactions, determining the relative reactivity of metals, and calculating the electromotive force (emf) of galvanic cells. Metals positioned higher in the series can displace those lower from their salt solutions, and the series also helps identify strong oxidizing and reducing agents based on their electrode potentials

Questions and Answers

  1. What is the electrochemical series?

    The electrochemical series is a list of elements arranged in order of their standard electrode potentials, measured against the standard hydrogen electrode, which is fixed at 0.00 volts

  2. How is the electrochemical series used in predicting chemical reactions?

    It is used to predict the feasibility of redox chemical reactions by indicating whether a particular reaction can occur based on the relative positions of the elements in the series

  3. What does a higher position in the electrochemical series indicate about a metal?

    A metal that is higher in the electrochemical series can displace a metal that is lower in the series from its salt solution

  4. How does the electrochemical series assist in calculating the voltage of galvanic cells?

    It helps determine which electrode will act as the anode and which will act as the cathode, allowing for the calculation of the electromotive force (emf) of the cell

  5. What is the significance of the standard hydrogen electrode in the electrochemical series?

    The potential of the standard hydrogen electrode is arbitrarily fixed at 0.00 volts and serves as a reference point for measuring the electrode potentials of other elements

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. What is the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) fixed at?

    a) 1.00 volts
    b) 0.00 volts
    c) -1.00 volts
    d) 2.00 volts
    Answer: b) 0.00 volts

  2. Which of the following metals can displace copper from its salt solution?

    a) Silver
    b) Gold
    c) Zinc
    d) Platinum
    Answer: c) Zinc

  3. What does a positive cell potential indicate?

    a) The reaction is not feasible
    b) The reaction is energetically feasible
    c) The reaction will produce a solid
    d) The reaction will not occur
    Answer: b) The reaction is energetically feasible

  4. Which of the following statements is true regarding strong oxidizing agents?

    a) They have large negative values of standard reduction potentials
    b) They are found at the bottom of the electrochemical series
    c) They have large positive values of standard reduction potentials
    d) They cannot participate in redox reactions
    Answer: c) They have large positive values of standard reduction potentials

  5. What happens if the sum of the standard electrode potentials is negative?

    a) The reaction is feasible
    b) The reaction is not feasible
    c) The reaction will produce heat
    d) The reaction will produce light
    Answer: b) The reaction is not feasible