Question

A certain half-reaction has a standard reduction potential +0.80 V . An engineer proposes using this half-reaction at the anode of a galvanic cell that must provide at least 0.9 V of electrical power. The cell will operate under standard conditions. Note for advanced students: assume the engineer requires this half-reaction to happen at the anode of the cell.
a. Is there a minimum standard reduction potential that the half-reaction used at the cathode of this cell can have?
b. Is there a maximum standard reduction potential that the half-reaction used at the cathode of this cell can have?

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Minimum 1.70 V

b. There is no maximum.

Explanation:

We can solve this question by remembering that the cell potential is given by the formula

ε⁰ cell = ε⁰ reduction -  ε⁰  oxidation

Now the problem states the cell must provide at least 0.9 V and that the reduction potential of the  oxidized species  0.80 V, thus

ε⁰ reduction -  ε⁰  oxidation ≥  ε⁰ cell

Since ε⁰  oxidation is by definition the negative of ε⁰ reduction , we have

ε⁰ reduction - ( 0.80 V )  ≥  0.90 V

⇒ ε⁰ reduction  ≥ 1.70 V

Therefore,

(a) The minimum standard reduction potential is 1.70 V

(b) There is no maximum standard reduction potential since it is stated in the question that we want to have a cell that provides at leat 0.9 V