Question

Write a chemical equation for the reaction that occurs in the following cell: Cu|Cu2+(aq)||Ag+(aq)|Ag. Of the two metals, copper and silver, which is the anode and which is the cathode? Label the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent.

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer is given below.

Explanation:

Anode is that electrode where oxidation occurs. Cathode is that electrode where reduction occurs.

In cell representation, half cell present left to salt-bridge notation$(\parallel )$ is anodic system and another half cell present right to salt-bridge notation$(\parallel )$ is cathodic system.

So anode is Cu and cathode is Ag.

oxidation: $Cu-2e^{-}\rightarrow Cu^{2+}(aq.)$

[reduction: $Ag^{+}+e^{-}\rightarrow Ag$]$\times 2$

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chemical equation: $Cu+2Ag^{+}(aq.)\rightarrow Cu^{2+}(aq.)+2Ag$

Oxidizing agent is that species which takes electron from another species. Here $Ag^{+}(aq.)$ takes electron from Cu. Hence $Ag^{+}(aq.)$  is the oxidizing agent.

Reducing agent is that species which gives electron to another species. Here Cu gives electron to $Ag^{+}(aq.)$ . Hence Cu  is the reducing agent.