An experimental fuel cell has been designed that uses carbon monoxide as fuel. The overall reaction is $$ 2 \mathrm{CO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g) $$ The two half-cell reactions are $$ \begin{array}{l} \mathrm{CO}+\mathrm{O}^{2-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \\\ \mathrm{O}_{2}+4 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{O}^{2-} \end{array} $$ The two half-reactions are carried out in separate compartments connected with a solid mixture of \(\mathrm{CeO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{Gd}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3} . \mathrm{Ox}-\) ide ions can move through this solid at high temperatures (about \(\left.800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) . \Delta G\) for the overall reaction at \(800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) under certain concentration conditions is \(-380 \mathrm{~kJ}\). Calculate the cell potential for this fuel cell at the same temperature and concentration conditions.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The cell potential for this fuel cell under the given temperature and concentration conditions is 0.986 V.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the number of moles of electrons transferred (n)

In the overall reaction, $$ 2 \mathrm{CO}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{2}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(g) $$ From the half-cell reactions, we can see that 4 moles of electrons are transferred in the process: $$ \begin{array}{l} \mathrm{CO}+\mathrm{O}^{2-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \end{array} $$ and $$ \begin{array}{l} \mathrm{O}_{2}+4 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{O}^{2-} \end{array} $$ Now we know n = 4 moles.
02

Use the relationship between Gibbs free energy change and cell potential

We can calculate the cell potential (E) by using the formula: $$ \Delta G = -nFE $$ Where ∆G is the Gibbs free energy change (-380 kJ), n is the number of moles of electrons transferred (4 moles), F is the Faraday constant (96485 C/mol), and E is the cell potential which we want to find. First, we need to convert the ∆G from kJ to J by multiplying by 1000: ∆G = -380 kJ × 1000 J/kJ = -380000 J Now, we can rearrange the formula to solve for E: $$ E = -\frac{\Delta G}{nF} $$ Substitute the values, $$ E = -\frac{-380000 \mathrm{J}}{4 \times 96485 \mathrm{C/mol}} $$
03

Calculate the cell potential (E)

Finally, calculate the cell potential E: $$ E = \frac{380000 \mathrm{J}}{4 \times 96485 \mathrm{C/mol}} = 0.986 \mathrm{V} $$ Hence, the cell potential for this fuel cell under the given temperature and concentration conditions is 0.986 V.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A galvanic cell is based on the following half-reactions: $$ \begin{aligned} \mathrm{Cu}^{2+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Cu}(s) & \mathscr{E}^{\circ} &=0.34 \mathrm{~V} \\ \mathrm{~V}^{2+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{V}(s) & \mathscr{E}^{\circ} &=-1.20 \mathrm{~V} \end{aligned} $$ In this cell, the copper compartment contains a copper electrode and \(\left[\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}\right]=1.00 M\), and the vanadium compartment contains a vanadium electrode and \(\mathrm{V}^{2+}\) at an unknown concentration. The compartment containing the vanadium \((1.00 \mathrm{~L}\) of solution) was titrated with \(0.0800 M \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{EDTA}^{2-}\), resulting in the reaction $$ \begin{array}{r} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{EDTA}^{2-}(a q)+\mathrm{V}^{2+}(a q) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{VEDTA}^{2-}(a q)+2 \mathrm{H}^{+}(a q) \\ K=? \end{array} $$ The potential of the cell was monitored to determine the stoichiometric point for the process, which occurred at a volume of \(500.0 \mathrm{~mL} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{EDTA}^{2-}\) solution added. At the stoichiometric point, \(\mathscr{E}_{\text {cell }}\) was observed to be \(1.98 \mathrm{~V}\). The solution was buffered at a pH of \(10.00\). a. Calculate \(\mathscr{E}_{\text {cell }}\) before the titration was carried out. b. Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant, \(K\), for the titration reaction. c. Calculate \(\mathscr{B}_{\text {cell }}\) at the halfway point in the titration.

You have a concentration cell in which the cathode has a silver electrode with \(0.10 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Ag}^{+}\). The anode also has a silver electrode with \(\mathrm{Ag}^{+}(a q), 0.050 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}{ }^{2-}\), and \(1.0 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{M}\) \(\mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\right)_{2}{ }^{3-}\). You read the voltage to be \(0.76 \mathrm{~V}\).a. Calculate the concentration of \(\mathrm{Ag}^{+}\) at the anode. b. Determine the value of the equilibrium constant for the formation of \(\mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\right)_{2}{ }^{3-}\). \(\mathrm{Ag}^{+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{~S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}{ }^{2-}(a q) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\right)_{2}^{3-}(a q) \quad K=?\)

Under standard conditions, what reaction occurs, if any, when each of the following operations is performed? a. Crystals of \(\mathrm{I}_{2}\) are added to a solution of \(\mathrm{NaCl}\). b. \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) gas is bubbled into a solution of NaI. c. A silver wire is placed in a solution of \(\mathrm{CuCl}_{2}\). d. An acidic solution of \(\mathrm{FeSO}_{4}\) is exposed to air. For the reactions that occur, write a balanced equation and calculate \(\mathscr{8}^{\circ}, \Delta G^{\circ}\), and \(K\) at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\).

Balance the following oxidation-reduction reactions that occur in acidic solution using the half-reaction method. a. \(\mathrm{Cu}(s)+\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cu}^{2+}(a q)+\mathrm{NO}(g)\) b. \(\mathrm{Cr}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{7}^{2-}(a q)+\mathrm{Cl}^{-}(a q) \rightarrow \mathrm{Cr}^{3+}(a q)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g)\) c. \(\mathrm{Pb}(s)+\mathrm{PbO}_{2}(s)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}(a q) \rightarrow \operatorname{PbSO}_{4}(s)\) d. \(\mathrm{Mn}^{2+}(a q)+\mathrm{NaBiO}_{3}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{Bi}^{3+}(a q)+\mathrm{MnO}_{4}^{-}(a q)\) e. \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{AsO}_{4}(a q)+\mathrm{Zn}(s) \rightarrow \mathrm{AsH}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{Zn}^{2+}(a q)\)

What is the maximum work that can be obtained from a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell at standard conditions that produces \(1.00 \mathrm{~kg}\) water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\) Why do we say that this is the maximum work that can be obtained? What are the advantages and disadvantages in using fuel cells rather than the corresponding combustion reactions to produce electricity?

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