Topic 6 Electrochemistry (AS-Level)

Done upto w05/q2

1 During electrolysis of brine in a diaphragm cell, chlorine, hydrogen
and sodium hydroxide are produced.
What is the molar ratio of these products?
chlorine
hydrogen
sodium hydroxide
A
1
1
1
B
1
1
2
C
2
1
1
D
2
2
1
s02/q16

2 At the age of 17, in a woodshed in Ohio, Charles Martin Hall

discovered the commercial process for the production of aluminium
metal by the electrolysis of a mixture of bauxite, Al2O3, and
cryolite, Na3AlF6. What is the main purpose of the cryolite?
A Al2O3 is covalent, and AlF63 ions interact with it to produce Al3+
ions which can be discharged at the cathode.
B Cryolite is a base, forming NaAlO2 with bauxite, enabling
aluminium to be discharged at the anode.
C Cryolite reduces the melting point of the bauxite.
D Cryolite minimises the release of O2 ions at the graphite anodes,
which are otherwise burnt away to CO.
s03/q9

3 Use of the Data Booklet is relevant to this question.

In the commercial electrolysis of brine, the products are chlorine,
hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. What is the maximum yield of each
of these products when 58.5 kg of sodium chloride are electrolysed
as brine?
yield of
yield of
yield of
chlorine / kg
hydrogen / kg
sodium hydroxide / kg
A
35.5
1
40
B
35.5
2
40
C
71
1
40
D
71
2
80

..........................................................................................................[1]
(b) (i) Describe with the aid of a diagram, the electrolytic extraction of
aluminium from purified aluminium oxide. State what the electrodes
are made of.

(ii) Give an ion-electron equation for the electrode process

at the cathode,
.........................................................................................................
at the anode.
............................................................................................................
(iii) What further reaction takes place at the anode?
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[8]
(c) Much of the bodywork of trains, aircraft and ships is made from
aluminium rather than from steel. State two advantages of using
aluminium in the making of vehicles.
1.
..............................................................................................................
2. ..........................................................................................................
[2]
[Total : 11]
s02/q3

1 (c) (i) With the aid of a diagram of the cell, outline the manufacture
of chlorine from brine (aqueous sodium chloride).

s04/q18

4 In the extraction of aluminium by electrolysis, why is it necessary to

dissolve aluminium oxide in molten cryolite?
A to reduce the very high melting point of the electrolyte
B cryolite provides the ions needed to carry the current
C cryolite reacts with the aluminium oxide to form ions
D molten aluminium oxide alone would not conduct electricity
s05/q8

5 When copper is extracted from its ores, the metal is not pure
enough for electrical uses. The impure copper, which contains small
amounts of silver and gold, is purified by electrolysis. During
this process a sludge forms beneath the anode which is found to
contain silver and traces of gold.
Why is silver found in this sludge?
A Silver is less electropositive than copper.
B Silver is more dense than copper and falls off the cathode.
C Silver reacts with the electrolyte to form an insoluble chloride salt.
D Silver reacts with the electrolyte to form an insoluble sulfate salt.
s09/q9

6 In the industrial electrolysis of brine to manufacture chlorine, the

diaphragm used is a porous screen which allows the flow of
electrolytes but keeps other chemicals separate.
Which substance needs to be kept separate from the chlorine by the
diaphragm?
A hydrogen
B sodium hydroxide C sodium chloride D water
w02/q18

7 Which statements about the commercial extraction of aluminium

are correct?
1 The cathode reaction is Al3+ + 3e Al.
2 The lining of the electrolytic cell acts as the cathode.
3 The electrolyte is purified Al2O3 in Na3AlF6.
w02/q33

8 Strontium metal can be obtained by the electrolysis of molten

strontium bromide, SrBr2, using the apparatus shown in the diagram.

(ii) Write the electrode equations, including state symbols.

anode
.............................................................................................................
.
cathode
..............................................................................................................
(iii) Name the two by-products of this electrolysis, and give one
commercial use of each.
by-product I
.............................................................................................................
.
use
..............................................................................................................
by-product II
..............................................................................................................
use
..............................................................................................................
(iv) Explain, with the aid of an equation, why the chlorine generated
from the cell has to be kept away from the liquid in the cathode
compartment.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................

Why is an atmosphere of argon used around the cathode?

A The argon keeps the strontium molten.
B The argon stops the molten strontium rising too high in the tube.
C A thin film of a compound of strontium and argon forms on the
surface protecting the freshly formed metal.
D Without the argon strontium oxide would form in the air.
w04/q15

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

1 Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the Earths crust,
occurring combined in many minerals.
(a) Name a mineral from which aluminium may be extracted.

..........................................................................................................[9]
w03/q1

(e) Ammonia does not burn in air but will burn in pure oxygen.
(i) Balance the equation for this reaction:
NH3(g) + O2(g) N2(g) + H2O(g)
(ii) Use oxidation numbers to explain why this is a redox reaction.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[3]
s04/q3

2 (a) (i) Describe, with the aid of a fully labelled diagram, the
industrial electrolysis of brine (aqueous NaCl). State what the
electrodes are made of and show clearly the inlet and the outlets.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
(ii) Write equations for the reactions at each electrode, giving state
symbols.
anode
..............................................................................................................
cathode
..............................................................................................................
(iii) Explain in terms of changes in oxidation number why redox
processes take place at the electrodes.
anode
..............................................................................................................
cathode
..............................................................................................................
(iv) Name the chemical which is produced in solution by this
electrolysis.
..............................................................................................................
(v) Suggest two large scale uses of this chemical.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
[10]
w04/q3

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

3 Chlorine gas is manufactured by the electrolysis of brine using a
diaphragm cell.
(a) Write half-equations, including state symbols, for the reactions
occurring at each of the electrodes of a diaphragm cell.
anode ...................................................................................................
...........
cathode ................................................................................................
..........[2]
(b) In the diaphragm cell, the anode is made of titanium and the
cathode is made of steel. Suggest why steel is never used for the
anode.
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[1]
(c) One important product made in the diaphragm cell is formed in
aqueous solution.
(i) What substance is produced in aqueous solution in the diaphragm
cell?
..............................................................................................................
(ii) Explain, with the aid of appropriate half-equation(s), how this
compound is formed by electrolysis.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[3]

Electrochemistry A2
1 (a) Complete the electronic configuration of the Fe3+ ion.
1s22s2 2p6 3s23p6
(b) By quoting suitable data from the Data Booklet, explain how E
values can be used to show the relative oxidising abilities of
(i) the halogens Cl2, Br2, I2,

[1]

(c) Because of its increased scarcity, cheaper copper ornaments are

no longer made from the solid metal, but from iron that has been
copper plated.
(i) Complete the following diagram showing the set-up for a copper
electroplating process. Show clearly the polarity (+/) of the power
source, and suggest a suitable electrolyte.

..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
(ii) the transition metal ions Cr3+, Fe3+, Co3+
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[3]
(c) Use these E values to predict whether a reaction will occur when
the following pairs of aqueous solutions are mixed. If a reaction
occurs, write a balanced equation and calculate the Ecell.
(i) Fe3+ (aq) and Cl(aq)

(ii) A current of 0.500A is passed through the electroplating cell.

Calculate the time required to deposit a mass of 0.500 g of copper
on to the ornament.

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................
(ii) Co3+(aq) and Br(aq)

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................[5]
[Total : 13]
s03/q1

..............................................................................................................
(iii) Cr2+ (aq) and I2(aq)
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
[4]
[Total: 8]

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

3 Magnesium is used extensively in the form of alloys as a
constructional material due to its low density
(1.7 g cm3, compared to 7.8 g cm3 for iron). It is usually prepared by
the electrolysis of magnesium chloride, MgCl2, at a temperature a
little above its melting point of 715 C.
(a) Suggest the half-equation that represents the production of
magnesium at the cathode during the electrolysis.

s02/q4

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

2 (a) What do you understand by the term standard electrode
potential?

..........................................................................................................[1]
(b) What will be the product at the other electrode?
..........................................................................................................[1]

..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................

s04/q1

4 A student decided to determine the value of the Faraday constant

by an electrolysis experiment. The following incomplete diagram
shows the apparatus that was used.

..........................................................................................................[2]
(b) The following cell was set up between a copper electrode and an
unknown metal electrode M2+(aq) /M(s). The standard cell potential
was found to be 0.76V, and the copper foil was the positive
electrode.

(a) (i) Apart from connecting wires, what two additional pieces of
equipment are needed for this experiment?
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
(i) Use the Data Booklet to calculate the standard electrode potential
of the M2+(aq) /M(s) system.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
(ii) Draw an arrow over the voltmeter symbol in the above diagram to
show the direction of electron flow through the voltmeter.
(iii) Predict the outcomes of the following situations. Describe what
you might see and write ionic equations for any reactions that occur.
I A rod of metal M is dipped into a solution of 1mol dm3 CuSO4.

............................................................................................................
(ii) Complete the diagram, showing additional equipment connected
in the circuit, and showing the power pack connected to the correct
electrodes.
(iii) List the measurements the student would need to make in order
to use the results to calculate a value for the Faraday constant.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
II Dilute sulphuric acid is added to a beaker containing a powdered
sample of metal M.

..........................................................................................................[7]
(b) (i) Using an equation, state the relationship between the Faraday
constant, F, the Avogadro constant, L, and the charge on the
electron, e.
.............................................................................................................
(ii) The value the student obtained was: 1 Faraday = 9.63 x 104
Coulombs Use this value and your equation in (b)(i) to calculate the
Avogadro constant (take the charge on the electron to be 1.60x1019
Coulombs)

..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[6]

..........................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 9]
s05/q1

5 Zinc chloride is one of the most important compounds of zinc. It is

used in dry cell batteries, as a flux for soldering and tinning, as a
corrosion inhibitor in cooling towers and in the
manufacture of rayon.
(a) Draw a fully labelled diagram to show how you could use a
standard hydrogen electrode to measure the standard electrode
potential, Eo, of zinc.

[6]
(b) The electrolysis of zinc chloride can give different electrode
products, depending on the conditions used. Suggest the products
formed at each electrode in the following cases. One space has
been filled in for you.
conditions
product at anode
product at cathode
ZnCl2(l)
Chlorine

(c) Predict how the E of the Fe3+/Fe2+ electrode would vary as

(i) the [Fe3+] is increased,
..............................................................................................................
(ii) the [Fe2+] is increased.
..............................................................................................................
[1]
(d) An aqueous solution of iron(III) chloride is used to dissolve the
excess of copper metal from printed-circuit boards.
Use the half-equations and E values in the Data Booklet to
(i) write an equation for this reaction,
..............................................................................................................
(ii) calculate the Ecell for the reaction.
..............................................................................................................
[2]
(e) The solution resulting from dissolving the copper from a small
printed-circuit board was acidified and titrated with 0.0200 moldm3
KMnO4. A volume of 75.0 cm3 was required for the end point.
The equation for the titration reaction is as follows.
5Fe2+ + MnO4 + 8H+ 5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O
Calculate
(i) the number of moles of Fe2+ in the solution,

ZnCl2(concentrat
ed aqueous)
ZnCl2(dilute
aqueous)
[3]
s07/q1

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

6 Chlorine gas and iron(II) ions react together in aqueous solution as
follows.
Cl2 + 2Fe2+ 2Cl + 2Fe3+
(a) The following diagram shows the apparatus needed to measure
the Eocell for the above reaction.

(ii) the mass of copper that had dissolved from the printed-circuit
board.

[4]
[Total: 12]
w02/q1

Muhammad Nadeem, 0333-4243885

8 The diagram shows a laboratory illustration of a simple hydrogenoxygen fuel cell.

(i) In the spaces below, identify what the five letters A E in the
above diagram represent.
A .........................................................
B .........................................................
C .........................................................

(a) Write the half equation for the reaction occurring at the left hand
(oxygen) electrode when the cell operates.

D .........................................................

..............................................................................................................

E .........................................................
(ii) Use the Data Booklet to calculate the Ecell for this reaction, and
hence decide which direction (left to right, or right to left) electrons
would flow through the voltmeter V when switch S is closed.
E

cell =

..........................................................................................................[1]
(b) State the polarity (+ or ) of the left hand (oxygen) electrode.

.................................................. V

direction of electron flow ...................................................

[7]
s08/q1

7 (a) The following diagram shows the apparatus needed to measure

the standard electrode potential of copper. In the spaces below,
identify or describe what the three letters AC represent.

....................................... [1]
(c) Use the Data Booklet to calculate the voltage produced by this
cell.
..........................................................................................................[1]
(d) Only a very small current can be drawn from this laboratory cell.
Suggest one way in which it could be modified to enable a larger
current to be drawn from it.
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[1]
(e) A fuel cell in an orbiting satellite is required to produce a current
of 0.010 A for 400 days. Calculate the mass of hydrogen that will be
needed.
..............................................................................................................

A .........................................................................................................
B .........................................................................................................
C ......................................................................................................[3]
(b) A student wishes to measure the standard electrode potential of
the Fe3+/Fe2+ electrode. In the space below, draw and label the set-up
for the right-hand beaker that would replace the one shown in the
diagram above.

..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[3]
(f) State one advantage, and one disadvantage of using fuel cells to
power road vehicles compared to hydrocarbon fuels such as petrol.
advantage:
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
disadvantage:
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 9]

[2]

w04/q2

9 Silver bromide, AgBr, is widely used in photography. In a

photographic film, AgBr crystals are precipitated into a gelatine base
as grains of diameter about 1x106m.
(b) AgBr is only sparingly soluble in water. The [Ag+] in a saturated
solution of AgBr can be estimated by measuring the Ecell of the
following cell.

(i) In the spaces below, identify what the four letters A D in the
above diagram represent.
A ............................................... C ....................................................
B ............................................... D ....................................................
(ii) Predict how the potential of the right hand electrode might vary as
[Ag+] is decreased.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
[5]
w05/q1

10 (a) What do you understand by the term standard electrode

potential?
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[2]
(b) By reference to relevant E data in the Data Booklet, explain how
the halogen/halide electrode potentials relate to the relative reactivity
of the halogens as oxidising agents.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................[2]
(c) Use data from the Data Booklet to construct redox equations, and
calculate the standard cell potentials, for the reactions between
(i) Acidified H2O2(aq) and KI(aq),

..............................................................................................................
(ii) Cl2(aq) + SO2(aq).

..........................................................................................................[4]
(d) Use data from the Data Booklet to predict the likely product of the
reaction between I2(aq) and tin metal, writing a balanced equation
for the reaction.
..........................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 10]
w05/q2

11 Potassium manganate(VII) can be used to estimate the

percentage of hydrogen peroxide in household bleach. The following
unbalanced equation represents the reaction between
them.
......... MnO4 + .... H2O2 + ...... H+ ...... Mn2+ + ......... H2O + ......... O2
(a) Balance this equation by putting the appropriate numbers in the
spaces above.
[1]
(b) Use data from the Data Booklet to calculate the Ecell for the
reaction.
..........................................................................................................[1]
w07/q5