Question

Determine the cell reaction and standard cell potential at 25 °C for a cell made from an anode half-cell containing a cadmium electrode in 1 M cadmium nitrate and a cathode half-cell consisting of an aluminum electrode in 1 M aluminum nitrate solution. Is the reaction spontaneous at standard conditions?

a) Cell Reaction: Al(s) + Cd²⁺(aq) → Al³⁺(aq) + Cd(s)), Standard Cell Potential: 2.57 V, Spontaneous: Yes
b) Cell Reaction: Al³⁺(aq) + Cd(s) → Al(s) + Cd²⁺(aq), Standard Cell Potential: -2.57 V, Spontaneous: No
c) Cell Reaction: Al(s) + Cd²⁺(aq) → Al³⁺(aq) + Cd²⁺(aq), Standard Cell Potential: 0.57 V, Spontaneous: Yes
d) Cell Reaction: Cd(s) + Al³⁺(aq) → Cd²⁺(aq) + Al(s), Standard Cell Potential: -0.57 V, Spontaneous: No

Answer 1

The cell reaction for the given cell is Al(s) + Cd²⁺(aq) → Al³⁺(aq) + Cd(s). The standard cell potential is 2.57 V, indicating that the reaction is spontaneous at standard conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell reaction for a cell made from an anode half-cell containing a cadmium electrode in 1 M cadmium nitrate and a cathode half-cell consisting of an aluminum electrode in 1 M aluminum nitrate solution is:

Cell Reaction: Al(s) + Cd²⁺(aq) → Al³⁺(aq) + Cd(s)

The standard cell potential at 25 °C is 2.57 V. Based on the positive value of the standard cell potential, we can conclude that the reaction is spontaneous at standard conditions.