Silver chloride is an insoluble salt. What will be the effect on the cell potential when a small amount of silver nitrate solution is added to half-cell A?

Answer 1

When a small amount of silver nitrate solution is added to half-cell A, silver ions (Ag+) from the silver nitrate will react with chloride ions (Cl-) in the silver chloride to form silver chloride precipitate (AgCl). Since silver chloride is an insoluble salt, it will not dissociate in solution and will remain as a solid.

The presence of the silver chloride precipitate will decrease the concentration of silver ions in half-cell A. This decrease in concentration of reactant ions will lower the concentration of reactants in the anode half-cell, leading to a decrease in the oxidation reaction at the anode.

This reduction in the oxidation reaction at the anode will in turn decrease the overall cell potential. Essentially, the addition of the silver nitrate solution to half-cell A will reduce the number of reactants available for the electrochemical reaction and therefore decrease the overall cell potential.