What will be the effect on the cell potential when a small amount of silver nitrate solution is added to half-cell A?

1 answer

The effect on the cell potential when a small amount of silver nitrate solution is added to half-cell A will depend on the specific reaction happening in half-cell A.

If half-cell A involves the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) to solid silver (Ag), adding silver nitrate solution, which contains silver ions, will increase the concentration of silver ions in the half-cell. This increase in concentration will shift the equilibrium towards the reduction of Ag+ ions, leading to an increase in the cell potential.

On the other hand, if half-cell A involves the oxidation of solid silver (Ag) to silver ions (Ag+), adding silver nitrate solution will increase the concentration of silver ions in the half-cell. This increase in concentration will shift the equilibrium towards the oxidation of Ag, leading to a decrease in the cell potential.

In summary, the effect on the cell potential when silver nitrate solution is added to half-cell A will depend on the specific reaction occurring in half-cell A. It can either increase or decrease the cell potential depending on the direction of the reaction.