Answer:
Reaction that takes place at the Zn electrode is oxidation:
Zn ⇄ Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻
Explanation:
This excersise explains the structure of a typical battery, that is useful to study electrochemistry.
AgNO₃ → Ag⁺ + NO₃
ZnSO₄ → Zn²⁺ + SO₄⁻²
Generally batteries contains 2 electrodes, where we have 2 conductive metallic. Batteries work to obtain electricity from a chemistry reaction which is always a redox type. One electrode releases electrons while the other catch them. Electrons travel from the anode to cathode, so in the anode, the e⁻ are released.
Reaction that takes place at the Zn electrode is oxidation:
Zn ⇄ Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻
Oxidation state is increased, electrons are free to go to cathode, where the other element decreases the oxidation state:
Ag⁺ + e⁻ ⇄ Ag
In the middle of the battery, the salt bridge (generally KCl) contributes the redox with more charges. Cl⁻ for the anode and K⁺ for the cathode.
Note that the same amount of electrons travel from anode to cathode, because in this example, Ag gained 1 mol and Zn released 2 moles.
The scheme for the battery is:
⁻ Zn(s) / Zn²⁺ (aq) // Ag⁺ (aq) / Ag (s) ⁺
1 M 1 M
Where the first place represents the anode, // represents the salt bridge and then, the cathode. Below, we write the molar concentration of each salt.
