The reaction below shows the corrosion process of iron. Calculate E°cell for the corrosion process and state whether you would predict that this is a spontaneous or nonspontaneous process.

Question

2 Fe (s) + O2 (g) + 4 H+ (aq) → 2 Fe2+ (aq) + 2 H2O (l)

Answer 1

Look up Eo couples for Fe to Fe^+2 and O2 + H^+ to H2O. Calculate Ecell. If it is positive it is spontaneous; if negative it is not spontaneous.