For the following electrochemical cell:
Fe(s) / Fe2+(aq) // MnO4–(aq) Mn2+(aq) / Pt(s)
Which letter corresponds to the correct balanced chemical equation in an acidic solution?
A. 5Fe(s) + 16H+(aq) + 2MnO4–(aq)--> 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l) + 5Fe2+(aq)
B. Fe(s)+8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)+Pt2+(aq)---> Mn2+(aq)+4H2O(l)+Fe2+(aq)+Pt(s)
C. Fe(s) + 8H+(aq) + MnO4–(aq)--->Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + Fe2+(aq)
D. 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l) + 5Fe2+(aq)--> 5Fe(s) + 16H+(aq) + 2MnO4–(aq)
E. Mn2+(aq)+4H2O(l)+Fe2+(aq)+Pt(s)----> Fe(s)+8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)+Pt2+(aq)
What reaction is occurring at the cathode?
A. 5e– + 8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)---> Mn2+(aq) +4H2O(l)
B. Fe(s)---> Fe2+(aq) + 2e–
C. Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)----> 5e– + 8H+(aq) + MnO4–(aq)
D. Fe2+(aq) + 2e– --->Fe(s)
E. Pt(s)---> Pt2+ + 2e
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First Problem: ; would be C?
Second problem: would that be A because positively charged ions are coming from it
3 answers
For the following electrochemical cell:
Fe(s) / Fe2+(aq) // MnO4–(aq) Mn2+(aq) / Pt(s)
Which letter corresponds to the correct balanced chemical equation in an acidic solution?
A. 5Fe(s) + 16H+(aq) + 2MnO4–(aq)--> 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l) + 5Fe2+(aq)
B. Fe(s)+8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)+Pt2+(aq)---> Mn2+(aq)+4H2O(l)+Fe2+(aq)+Pt(s)
C. Fe(s) + 8H+(aq) + MnO4–(aq)--->Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + Fe2+(aq)
D. 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l) + 5Fe2+(aq)--> 5Fe(s) + 16H+(aq) + 2MnO4–(aq)
E. Mn2+(aq)+4H2O(l)+Fe2+(aq)+Pt(s)----> Fe(s)+8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)+Pt2+(aq)
What reaction is occurring at the cathode?
A. 5e– + 8H+(aq)+MnO4–(aq)---> Mn2+(aq) +4H2O(l)
B. Fe(s)---> Fe2+(aq) + 2e–
C. Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)----> 5e– + 8H+(aq) + MnO4–(aq)
D. Fe2+(aq) + 2e– --->Fe(s)
E. Pt(s)---> Pt2+ + 2e
Write the two half reactions. I don't think you can come up with C. In fact, I think C is and OLD OLD trick. All the atoms balance, don't they? Yes, Very good. BUT, do the charges balance? No, I don't think so. Is the electron transfer lost equal to those gained? No, I don't think so. The charge is +7 on the left and +4 on the right. No good. The electron transfer is 2 for Fe going to Fe^+2 and 5 for MnO4^- at +7 going to Mn^+2 at +2. So the electrons don't balance either. Try this.
Fe==> Fe^+2 + 2e
MnO4^- + 8H^+ 5e ==> Mn^+2 + 4H2O
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Now make the electrons lost equal those gained and add the two equations. You will get the correct balanced chemical equation. (This takes care of electrons transfer and charge balance at the same time.)