Final answer:
To determine the mass of nickel produced, we calculate the total charge passed through the solution, convert this charge to moles of electrons, and then use the stoichiometry of the nickel deposition reaction to find the mass of nickel, based on its molar mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking us to calculate the mass of nickel produced by the electrolysis of a nickel acetate solution when a current of 1.8 amperes is passed through it for 3 hours. To find the mass, we first need to know the total charge that passed through the solution, which can be calculated by multiplying the current (I) by the time (t), where time is converted into seconds. Then, using Faraday's laws of electrolysis, we can convert the charge into moles of electrons.
The half-reaction involved in depositing nickel is Ni2+(aq) + 2e- → Ni(s), which means that 2 moles of electrons are required to deposit one mole of nickel. Next, we find moles of nickel using the charge and the stoichiometry of the reaction. Finally, we calculate the mass by multiplying the moles of nickel by its molar mass.
To accomplish this, we use the formula: mass = (current * time * molar mass of nickel)/(2 * 96500 coulombs), where 96500 coulombs (F) is the Faraday constant, representing the charge of one mole of electrons.