Question

Write the half reactions and the balanced
equation for the galvanic cell
Cu(s)| Cu2+(aq)|| Cu+(aq)| Cu(s).
What is the smallest possible integer coefficient of Cu2+(aq) in the combined balanced equation?

When put together the balanced equation is just Cu + Cu+ = Cu2+ + Cu. So that means that the smallest possible integer coefficient for Cu2+ is just 1, right? If I'm wrong, can you please explain to me why I am wrong?

Answer 1

Is your equation balanced? You know it isn't because the charges don't balance.

Answer 2

So would it be Cu + 2Cu+ = Cu2+ + 2Cu? I didn't change the electrons before for the half reaction.

Answer 3

or cancel 1 Cu(s) for
2Cu^+ ==> Cu^2+ + Cu which is the disproportionation reaction for Cu^+. 1 goes down to Cu(s) and the other goes up to Cu^2+.

Answer 4

It should be 1, because the final balanced equation is 2Cu+ + Cu --> Cu2+ + 2Cu

Therefore, your answer is 1, because as you can see, the Cu^2+ has a coefficient of 1

this is because you combine the following half-reactions:

(1) Cu--> Cu 2+ + 2e-
(2) 2Cu + 2e- --> 2Cu

btw the second half-reaction has coefficients of 2 because I multiplied the entire equation by 2 in order to cancel out the 2 electrons on the product side of the first half reaction.