Consider the Fig. 3.2 and answer the following questions.

(i) Cell ‘A’ has E_Cell = 2V and Cell ‘B’ has E_Cell = 1.1V which of the two cells ‘A’ or ‘B’ will act as an electrolytic cell. Which electrode reactions will occur in this cell?

(ii) If cell ‘A’ has E_Cell = 0.5V and cell ‘B’ has E_Cell = 1.1V then what will be the reactions at anode and cathode?

(i) Given,

E_Cell(A) = 2V

E_Cell(B) = 1.1V

• The electrolytic cell with small E_cell will act as an electrolytic cell. Therefore, Cell B with lower emf value will act as an electrolytic cell.

• The half-cell reactions are:

• Anode: Cu_(S)→ Cu²⁺ + 2e^-

• Cathode: Zn²⁺ + 2e^-→ Zn_(S)

(ii) Given,

E_Cell(A) = 0.5V

E_Cell(B) = 1.1V

• Cell B having higher emf value will behave as a galvanic cell.

• Thus, new half-cell reactions are:

• Anode: Zn_(S)→ Zn²⁺ + 2e^-

• Cathode: Cu²⁺ + 2e^-→ Cu_(S)