View Full Version : Predicting the product
xo_brookie
May 20, 2009, 04:14 PM
Ag+CuSO4
Perito
May 20, 2009, 08:17 PM
You can check out the standard potentials for the half reactions
Cu^{+2} + 2e^-\rightleftharpoons Cu
and
Ag \rightleftharpoons Ag^+ + e-
to see if the reaction has any potential to make it go.
Unknown008
May 21, 2009, 08:22 AM
Hummm, I don't about potentials, perhaps you'll tell me Perito.
What I have to say here is that a more reactive metal will 'displace' (or take the place if you understand better that way) another less reactive metal from a solution of that less reactive metal salt. So, if Ag is more reactive than Cu, then, a reaction will occur.
Perito
May 21, 2009, 08:50 AM
from Applications of Standard Electrode Potentials (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/Chemical/electrode2.html)
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- --> Cu(s) 0.34 V
from Foundations of Electronics - Standard Potentials (http://library.thinkquest.org/10784/chem5.html)
Ag+(aq) + e- --> Ag(s) +.80 V
Reversing the silver half-reaction (since the reaction is written Ag -> Ag+) gives -0.80v. Adding that to the +.34v gives -.46v. This indicates a lack of driving force (Gibbs free energy) for the reaction to occur as stated (Ag+CuSO4). In fact the reverse reaction, Cu + Ag+ = Cu+2 + Ag, is commonly done in quantitative analysis chemistry laboratories.
In other words, there will probably be little or no reaction.
Unknown008
May 21, 2009, 08:54 AM
Oh OK! I got it! Thanks Perito. I forgot that that formed part of electrolysis too! I remember now, though I doubt I was told of the terms 'electrode potential' in the chapter. :)