ACH3701/202/2/2020
Tutorial Letter 202/2/2021
Applied Chemical Principles
ACH3701
Semester 2 module
Department of Chemistry
This tutorial letter contains the questions for Assignment 02
BARCODE
1 ASSIGNMENT 02 QUESTIONS
Unique Number: 835791
Solutions
Colloids
Question 1
(a) Colloids are categorized into classes based on how the particles interact with the
dispersions medium. Describe the two main classes of colloids.
(6)
Question 2
When an aqueous solution of BaCl2 is mixed with an aqueous solution of Na2SO4, the mixture
becomes cloudy. After a few days, a white solid forms at the bottom of the beaker with clear
liquid above the solid.
(a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction that occurs.
(b) Why is the solution cloudy at first?
(c) What happens during the few days of waiting?
(6)
Solubility and Precipitation
Question 3
Estimate the solubility of calcium hydroxide at 25oC in:
(a) pure water in moles per liter
(b) pure water in grams per liter
(c) the presence of 0.02M Ca(NO3)2
(12)
(a) Calcium hydroxide dissolves according to the following equilibrium:
Ca(OH)2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2 HO− (aq)
Ksp = [Ca2+] [HO−]2
Let us assume that the solubility of Ca(OH)2 is x
According to the balanced equation,
x mole/L of Ca(OH)2 → x mol/L Ca2+(aq)
x mole/L of Ca(OH)2 → 2x mol/L HO− (aq)
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Substituting x into the Ksp expression:
5.02 × 10−6 = [Ca2+] [HO−]2 = (x) (2 x)2
= 4 x3
Therefore, x = 3√ (1.255 × 10−6) x mole/L of Ca(OH)2 → = 1.08 × 10−2 mol/L = solubility of
Ca(OH)2
(b) From (a), the solubility of Ca(OH)2 is 1.08 × 10−2 mol/L
Therefore, the mass of Ca(OH)2 that dissolves in water =
1.08 × 10−2 mol x 74.1g = 8.00 × 10−1 g/L = solubility of Ca(OH)2
1L 1 mol
(c)
Ca(OH)2(s) ⇌ Ca2+(aq) + 2 HO− (aq)
Ksp = [Ca2+] [HO−]2
In 0.02M Ca(NO3)2 the [Ca] is 0.02 M.
Let x equal the solubility of Ca(OH)2 in moles per liter, then the change in concentrations the
presence of 0.02M Ca(NO3)2 are shown below:
Ca(OH)2 [Ca2+] [OH−]
initial pure solid 0.02 0
change — +x +x
final pure solid 0.02 + x x
The Ksp expression is as follows:
Ksp = 5.02 × 10−6 = [[Ca2+] [HO−]2 = (0.02 + x)(x) 2
≈ (0.02)( x) 2 = 0.02x 2
x = (2.51 ×10−4 )1/2
x = 1.58 ×10−2 M
Therefore, solubility of Ca(OH)2 is 1.58×10−2 in 0.020 M Ca(NO3)2 at 25°C.
[Note that because Ca(OH)2 is a sparingly soluble salt, we can reasonably expect that x <<
0.020. Thus (0.020 + x) M is approximately 0.020 M]
Question 4
3
Will SrSO4 precipitate from a solution containing 2.6x10-4 M strontium ion, Sr+2, if enough
soluble salt, Na2SO4, is added to make the solution 2. 6x10-4M in SO4-2? The Ksp value for
SrSO4 is 3.4x10-7.
(6)
Equilibrium:
SrSO4(s) Sr2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
The Ksp expression is as follows:
Ksp = [Sr2+][ SO42–] = 3.4 × 10−7
With the added Na2SO4, the [Sr2+] = 2.6 ×10-4 M
and [ SO42–] in the solution = 2.6 ×10-4 M
The expression of the ion product, Q = [Sr2+][ SO42–]
Substituting the amounts of [Sr2+] and [ SO42–] into Q:
Q = (2.6 ×10-4 ) (2.6 ×10-4)
= 6.7 ×10-8
Therefore since Q < Ksp , SrSO4 will not precipitate.
Electrochemistry
Question 5
Consider a galvanic cell consisting of
2Cr(s) + 3Cu2+(aq) ⟶ 2Cr3+(aq) + 3Cu(s)
ii) Write the reaction using cell notation.
iii) Which reaction occurs at the cathode?
iv) Which reaction occurs at the anode?
6)
i) Half reactions:
Oxidation: 2(Cr( (s)⟶ Cr3+ (aq) + 3 ē)
Reduction: 3(Cu2+(aq) + 2 ē ⟶ Cu(s))
Cell notation:
Pt(s)│ Cr( (s), Cr3+ (aq)║ Cu2+(aq), Cu (s)│Pt(s)
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i) Reduction takes place at the cathode
iii) Oxidation occurs at the anode
Question 6
Predict the chemical reactions that will occur at the two electrodes in the electrolysis of an
aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. What is the minimum voltage needed for this reaction to
take place?
(8)
Question 7
Compare a lead storage cell with a fuel cell. Use chemical equations and appropriate diagrams
to describe the functionality of each type of cell.
The lead storage or lead-acid cell is a basic part of a lead storage battery for example a car
battery). Lead-acid batteries, can store a lot of charge and provide high current for short periods
of time.
In the cell, lead acts as the anode and lead dioxide serves as the cathode. The cell also
contains the electrolyte solution, sulphuric acid. The electrodes are dipped into the electrolyte
solution and then the following reactions take place at the electrodes:
Anode reaction: Pb(s) + HSO4–(aq) → PbSO4(s) + H+(aq) + 2e–
Cathode reaction: PbO2(s) + HSO4–(aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e– → PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
Overall reaction: Pb(s) + PbO2(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2HSO4–(aq) → 2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
When the given anode and cathode reactions take place, lead sulfate is formed at both
electrodes and the dissolved sulphuric acid of electrolyte is lost. The cell is said to be
discharging.
However, this type of cell can be recharged when the charging source forcibly removes
electrons from the cathode and forcibly introduces electrons to the anode. During the charging
process the reactions at the anode and cathode are the reverse of the reactions taking place
during the initial process.
A lead storage cell can be represented as:
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The typical car lead storage battery has 6 cells connected in series.
A fuel cell is a galvanic cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidizing agent
into electrical energy /electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from
most batteries because in order to sustain the chemical reaction, they require a continuous
source of oxygen and fuel. In a battery the chemical energy is provided by the metals and their
ions or oxides and these species are commonly already present in most batteries, like the lead
–acid battery. A hydrogen fuel cell has hydrogen as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizing agent.
A fuel cell is composed of an anode, cathode, and an electrolyte membrane. A typical fuel cell
works by passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell and oxygen through the
cathode. At the anode site, a catalyst splits the hydrogen molecules into electrons and protons.
Fuel cells will produce electricity continuously for as long as there is a supply of fuel and
oxygen.
In the hydrogen fuel cell, the half reactions under acidic conditions are:
anode: 2H2 ⟶ 4 H+ + 4e−
cathode: O2 + 4 H+ + 4e− ⟶ 2H2O
overall: 2H2 + O2 ⟶ 2H2O
The hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce water.
The hydrogen cell can also have an alkaline or acidic electrolyte. A fuel cell does not store
chemical or electrical energy. Fuel cells will continue to generate an electrical current, as long
as there is a continuous supply addition of fuel and oxidizer is available. Fuel cells are more
efficient than internal combustion engines.
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(20)
Question 8
Describe the chemical processes that takes place when iron rusts and also explain the
electrochemical processes that may be used to prevent the corrosion of iron
Rusting:
The corrosion/rusting of a metal involves the creation of a galvanic cell. Iron is oxidized to
Fe2+(aq) on the surface of the iron and the surface acts as the anode. Oxygen is reduced to
water at a different place on the surface of the iron, which acts as the cathode. Electrons are
moved from the anode to the cathode through the iron metal conducts electricity.
The relevant reactions that takes place are as follows:
at anode:
Fe(s) → Fe2+ (aq) + 2e−
at cathode:
O2(g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e− → 2H2O(l)
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overall:
2Fe(s) + O2(g) + 4H+ (aq) → Fe2+ (aq) +2H2O(l)
The Fe2+ ions produced in the initial reaction are further oxidized by the oxygen in the
atmosphere to form rust. Rust is the insoluble hydrated oxide (Fe2O3•xH2O) which contains
Fe3+, as shown in the following equation:
4Fe2+(aq) + O2(g) + (2+4x)H2O → 2Fe2O3⋅xH2O + 4H+(aq)
Prevention:
For corrosion to occur both the reactions at the cathode and anode must take place. Therefore,
one can stop corrosion by preventing either one of the reactions to take place.
An approach to stop /prevent corrosion is to apply a slight negative charge to the metal, this will
make it more difficult for the oxidation reactionto take place:
M ⟶ M2++2e−
Another significant method to protect the metal is by making the metal the cathode in a galvanic
cell. This process is called cathodic protection and it can be used for different types of metals,
not only for iron. An example of such a processes to prevent or reduce the rusting of
underground iron storage tanks and pipes by connecting the pipes and tanks to a more active
metal like magnesium or zinc. The more active metals have a lower reduction potential and are
known as sacrificial anodes since they are get consumed as they oxidize (corrode) at the
anode. The metal that are being protected acts as the cathode when the oxygen in air is
reduced. The metal thus conducts the electrons that are being moved and does not react. By
the periodic replacement and proper monitoring of the anodes, the period for the use of the iron
storage tanks/pipes can be significantly extended.
Cathodic protection is a useful approach to electrochemically preventing corrosion of
underground storage tanks.
