Question

An electrochemical cell has the following overall reaction:

Answer 1

Oxidation is a process in which electrons are lost from the substance. Since electrons are lost, oxidation state increases.

In the above reaction, we can see that oxidation state increases for Mn from 0 to +2. That mean Mn is undergoing oxidation.

$Mn(s)----->Mn^{2+}(aq) +2e^{-}$

We have $E_{ox} = 0.34V$

The oxidation state decreases for Cu, that means Cu undergoes reduction.

$Cu^{2+}(aq) + 2e^{-} ------> Cu(s)$

$E_{red} =1.18V$

The formula to calculate cell potential is

$E_{cell} = E_{ox} + E_{red}$

Let us plug in the given Eox and Ered values.

$E_{cell} = 0.34V+1.18V$

$E_{cell} = 1.52V$

The overall cell potential is +1.52V