Question

What we call "tin cans" are really iron cans coated with a thin layer of tin. The anode is a bar of tin and the cathode is the iron can. An electrical current is used to oxidize the Sn to Sn2+ in solution, which is reduced to produce a thin coating of Sn on the can.

Answer 1

Answer:

$Fe (s) + Sn^{2+} (aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+} (aq) + Sn (s)$

Explanation:

Although the context is not clear, let's look at the oxidation and reduction processes that will take place in a Fe/Sn system.

The problem states that anode is a bar of thin. Anode is where the process of oxidation takes place. According to the abbreviation 'OILRIG', oxidation is loss, reduction is gain. Since oxidation occurs at anode, this is where loss of electrons takes place. That said, tin loses electrons to become tin cation:

$Sn (s)\rightarrow Sn^{2+} (aq) + 2e^-$

Similarly, iron is cathode. Cathode is where reduction takes place. Reduction is gain of electrons, this means iron cations gain electrons and produce iron metal:

$Fe^{2+} (aq) + 2e^-\rightarrow Fe (s)$

The net equation is then:

$Sn (s) + Fe^{2+} (aq)\rightarrow Fe (s) + Sn^{2+} (aq)$

However, this is not the case, as this is not a spontaneous reaction, as iron metal is more reactive than tin metal, and this is how the coating takes place. This implies that actually anode is iron and cathode is tin:

Actual anode half-equation:

$Fe (s)\rightarrow Fe^{2+} (aq) + 2e^-$

Actual cathode half-equation:

$Sn^{2+} (aq) + 2e^-\rightarrow Sn (s)$

Actual net reaction:

$Fe (s) + Sn^{2+} (aq)\rightarrow Fe^{2+} (aq) + Sn (s)$