In a galvanic cell, the standard reduction potential (E°) for the reduction of copper ions (Cu²⁺) to copper metal (Cu) is +0.34 V. Calculate the cell potential when this half-cell is paired with a half-cell in which the reduction potential of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) to cadmium metal (Cd) is -0.40 V.
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To calculate the cell potential, we can use the equation:
E°cell = E°cathode - E°anode
Where E°cell is the cell potential, E°cathode is the reduction potential of the cathode half-cell, and E°anode is the reduction potential of the anode half-cell.
In this case, the cathode half-cell is the reduction of copper ions (Cu²⁺) to copper metal (Cu), which has a reduction potential of +0.34 V. The anode half-cell is the reduction of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) to cadmium metal (Cd), which has a reduction potential of -0.40 V.
To calculate the cell potential, we substitute these values into the equation:
E°cell = 0.34 V - (-0.40 V)
E°cell = 0.34 V + 0.40 V
E°cell = 0.74 V
The cell potential when this half-cell is paired with a half-cell in which the reduction potential of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) to cadmium metal (Cd) is -0.40 V is 0.74 V.