Question

A certain metal forms a soluble nitrate salt M(NO3)3. Suppose the left half cell of a galvanic cell apparatus is filled with a 3.0mM solution of M(NO3)3 and the right half cell with a 3.0M solution of the same substance. Electrodes made of M are dipped into both solutions and a voltmeter is connected between them. The temperature of the apparatus is held constant at 20.0 C.
Required:
a. Which electrode will be positive?
b. What voltage will the voltmeter show? Assume its positive lead is connected to the positive electrode.

Answer 1

Answer:

1.The electrode on the right is positive

2. 0.058V

Explanation:

The above cell is a concentration cell.

A concentration cell is an electrolytic cell that is made of two half-cells with the same electrodes, but differs in concentrations of the solutions. A concentration cell functions by diluting the more concentrated solution and concentrating the more dilute solution, creating a voltage as the cell reaches an equilibrium thereby transferring the electrons from the cell with the lower concentration to the cell with the higher concentration.

In the above cell, electrons flow from the left electrode (less concentrated) to the right electrode (more concentrated). Therefore, the right electrode is the positive electrode (cathode).

Part 2: Please, see the attachment below for the calculations.