Unit II: ELECTROCHEMISTRY

SECTION A: Multiple Choice Question

Q1. In which of the following conditions salt bridge is not required in a galvanic cell?
(a) When a galvanic cell is used in a geyser.
(b) When the distance between oxidation half cell and reduction half cell is negligible.
(c) Electrolytic solutions used in both the half cells are of same concentration.
(d) When both the electrodes are dipped in the same electrolytic solution.

Q2. The standard hydrogen electrode potential is zero, because

(a) hydrogen oxidised easily (b) electrode potential is considered as zero
(c) hydrogen atom has only one electron (d) hydrogen is a very light element

Q3. Standard electrode potential of three metals X, Y and Z are – 1.2 V, + 0.5 V and – 3.0
V, respectively. The reducing power of these metals will be :
(a) Y > Z > X (b) X > Y > Z (c) Z > X > Y (d) X > Y > Z

Q4. Specific conductance of 0.1 M HNO3 is 6.3×10–2 ohm–1 cm–1. The molar conductance
of the solution is
(a) 100 ohm–1 cm2 (b) 515 ohm–1 cm2 (c) 630 ohm–1 cm2 (d) 6300 ohm–1 cm2

Q5. Kohlrausch’s law states that at

(a) finite dilution, each ion makes definite contribution to equivalent conductance of
an electrolyte, whatever be the nature of the other ion of the electrolyte.
(b) infinite dilution each ion makes a definite contribution to equivalent conductance of
an electrolyte depending on the nature of the other ion of the electrolyte.
(c) infinite dilution, each ion makes a definite contribution to conductance of an
electrolyte whatever be the nature of the other ion of the electrolyte.
(d) infinite dilution, each ion makes definite contribution to equivalent conductance of
an electrolyte, whatever be the nature of the other ion of the electrolyte.

Q6. If 0.5 amp current is passed through an acidified silver nitrate solution for 100
minutes. The mass of silver deposited on cathode, is (eq.wt.of silver nitrate = 108)
(a) 2.3523 g (b) 3.3575 g (c) 5.3578 g (d) 6.3575 g

Q7. Aluminium oxide may be electrolysed at 1000°C to furnish aluminium metal

(At. Mass = 27 amu; 1 Faraday = 96,500 Coulombs).
The cathode reaction is– Al3+ + 3e- → Al
To prepare 5.12 kg of aluminium metal by this method we require electricity of
(a) 5.49 × 101 C (b) 5.49 × 104 C (c) 1.83 × 107 C (d) 5.49 × 107 C

ASSERTION-REASON TYPE QUESTIONS

Directions : Each of these questions contain two statements: Assertion and Reason. Each
of these questions also has four alternative choices, only one of which is the correct answer.
You have to select one of the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below.
(a) Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
(b) Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
(c) Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
(d) Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.
Q8. Assertion : The resistivity for a substance is its resistance when it is one metre long and its
area of cross section is one square metre.
Reason : The SI units of resistivity is ohm metre (Ωm).

Q9. Assertion : On increasing dilution, the specific conductance keeps on increasing.

Reason : On increasing dilution, degree of ionisation of weak electrolyte increases and molality
of ions also increases.
Q10. Assertion : Galvanised iron does not rust.
Reason : Zinc has a more negative electrode potential than iron.

Q11. Assertion: The resistivity for a substance is its resistance when it is one metre long and its
area of cross-section is one square metre.
Reason: The SI units of resistivity is ohm metre ( m)

Q12. Assertion: On increasing dilution, the specific conductance keeps on increasing.

Reason: On increasing dilution, the degree of ionisation of weak electrolyte increases, and
molality of ions also increases.
Case Study Question
Q13. Read the given passage and answer the questions 1 to 5 that follow:
A Lead storage battery is the most important type of secondary cell having a lead anode
and a grid of lead packed with PbO2 as cathode. A 38% solution of sulphuric acid is used
as electrolyte. (Density=1.294 g mL-1) The battery holds 3.5 L of the acid. During the
discharge of the battery, the density of H2SO4 falls to 1.139 g mL-1. (20% H2SO4 by mass)
(i) Write the reaction taking place at the cathode when the battery is in use.
(ii) How much electricity in terms of Faraday is required to carry out the reduction of one
mole of PbO2?
(iii) What is the molarity of sulphuric acid before discharge?
(iv) Lead storage battery is considered a secondary cell. Why?
(v) Write the products of electrolysis when dilute sulphuric acid is electrolysed using
Platinum electrodes.

Q14. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:
All chemical reactions involve interaction of atoms and molecules. A large number of
atoms/molecules are present in a few grams of any chemical compound varying with their
atomic/molecular masses. To handle such large numbers conveniently, the mole concept
was introduced. All electrochemical cell reactions are also based on mole concept. For
example, a 4.0 molar aqueous solution of NaCl is prepared and 500 mL of this solution is
electrolysed. This leads to the evolution of chlorine gas at one of the electrodes. The amount
of products formed can be calculated by using mole concept.
The following questions are multiple choice questions. Choose the most appropriate
answer:
(i) The total number of moles of chlorine gas evolved is
(a) 0.5 (b) 1.0 (c) 1.5 (d) 1.9
(ii) If cathode is a Hg electrode, then the maximum weight of amalgam formed from
this solution is
(a) 300g (b) 446 g (c) 396 g (d) 256 g
(iii)The total charge (coulomb) required for complete electrolysis is
(a) 186000 (b) 24125 (c) 48296 (d) 193000
(iv) In the electrolytes, the number of moles of electrons involved are
(a) 2 (b) 1 (c) 3 (d) 4
(v) In electrolysis of aqueous NaCl solution when Pt electrode is taken, then which gas
is liberated at cathode?
(a) H2 gas (b) Cl2 gas (c) O2 gas (d) None of these

Ans of MCQS:
1.d) 2.b) 3.c) 4.c) 5.d) 6.b)
7.d) 8.b) 9.d) 10.a) 11.b) 12.d)
content based questions :
Ans 13) i) Reaction taking place at cathode when the battery is in use:
PbO2 (s) + SO4 2- (aq) +2H+(aq) +2e- —→ PbSO4 (s)+ H2O
ii) 2 F ii) Molarity 5.02M It can be recharged after use. At anode: O2 (g) , At cathode:
H2 (g)
Ans 14. i. (b) ii. (b) iii. (d) iv. (c) v. (a)

SECTION B: (2 MARKS QUESTIONS)

Q1. E0cell of the following reaction is 0.59 V.
A(s) + B2+ (aq) ⇌ A2+ (aq) + B (s)
Calculate its
equilibrium constant.
ANSWER 1: For the
given reaction,
n=2 nFEo=2.303 RT log
K n=2 , Eo=
0.59V
log K =
nEo/0.05
91 log k
=2
K=100

Q2. Differentiate among metallic conductors and electrolytic conductors. Discuss the
effect of Temperature on their conductivity.
ANSWER 2: Metallic conductors : These are the metals which contain free electrons for
conduction of electricity hence metallic conductor is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Electrolytic conductors : These are the conductors which contain ions for
conduction. Hence conductance increases with increase of temperature.
Electrolytic conductance increases with the increase of
temperature Metallic conductance decreases with the increase
in temperature.
Q3. Λ m ° for NaCl, HCl and NaAc are 126.4, 425.9 and 91.0 S cm2 mol –1
respectively. Calculate Λmo for HAc.
ANSWER 3: Λm0 (H Ac) = λO H+ + λOAc- = λO H+ + λO Cl- + λOAc- + λONa+ - λO Cl- - λONa+

= (425.9 + 91.0 – 126.4) S cm2 mol –1 = 390.5 S cm2 mol–1

Q4. Two half-reactions of an electrochemical cell are

given below : MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5e– → Mn2+
(aq) + 4H2O (I), E° = 1.51 V Sn2+ (aq) → Sn4+ (aq) +
2e–, E° = + 0.15 V.
Construct the redox reaction equation from the two half-reactions and
calculate the cell potential from the standard potentials and predict if the
reaction is reactant or product favoured.
Answer 4 : The reactions can be represented at anode and at cathode in the following ways :
At anode (oxidation) : Sn2+ → Sn4+ (aq) + 2e– ] × 5 E° = + 0.15 V
At cathode (reduction) :MnO4- (aq) + 8H+ (aq) + 5e– → Mn2+ (aq) + 4H2O (I)] × 2
E° = + 1.51 V The Net R × M = 2MnO4 -(aq) + 16H+ + 5Sn2+ → 2Mn2+ + 5Sn4+ + 8H2O
Now E°cell = E°cathode – E°anode
= 1.51 – 0.15 = + 1.36 V
∴ Positive value of E°cell favours formation of product.

Q5. Write the chemistry of recharging the lead storage battery

highlighting all the materials that are involved during recharging.
ANSWER 5: A lead storage battery consists of a lead anode, a grid of lead packed with lead
oxide (PbO2) as the cathode, and a 38% solution of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) as an electrolyte.
During recharging:
2PbSO4 + 2H2O→Pb(s) +PbO2+4H+ +2SO42−

6. A solution of copper sulphate is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a

current of
5.0 A for 20 min. What mass of copper will be deposited at
the cathode. [ Atomic mass of Cu=63.5 u ]
ANSWER 6: Charge (C) = Current (A) × time (s) = 5A x 20x60 = 6000C
+2
Cu + 2e- → Cu

Means 1 mol copper is formed when 2 mol of electrons passes through

the sample. So charge on two moles electrons = 2x96500 C
So 2x96500 C charge deposit Cu = 63.5 g Cu
6000 C charge deposit = 63.5 X 6000 /2 X
96500 =1.974g Mass of Cu deposited = 1.974 g

SECTION C: (3 MARKS QUESTIONS)

Q1. Calculate the emf of the cell in which following reaction
takes place: Ni (s) +2Ag+ (0.002 M) —>Ni+2 (0.160 M) + 2
Ag(s)
Given:
E0CELL
=1.05 V
ANSWER:
E (cell) = E0(cell ) – RT /2F ln [Ni+2 ] / [Ag+]2
E(cell) = E0(cell ) – 0.0591/2{log [Ni +2] / [Ag+]2 }
= 1.05 – 0.0591/2 {log 0.16 / (0.002)2 }
= 1.05 - 0.02955 (log 4 × 104)
= 1.05 - 0.02955 (log 10000 + log 4)
= 1.05 - 0.02955 (4 + 0.6021) = 0.914 V

Q 2a.From the given cells: Lead storage cell, Mercury cell, Fuel cell and
Dry cell Answer the following:
(i) Which cell is used in hearing aids?
(ii) Which cell was used in the Apollo Space Programme?
(iii) Which cell is used in automobiles and inverters?
(iv) Which cell does not have a long life?

2(b) Suggest two materials other than hydrogen that can be used as fuels in
the fuel cells. Answer 2 (a):
(i) Mercury cells are used in hearing aids.
(ii) Fuel cell was used in the Apollo Space Programme.
(iii) Lead storage cells are used in automobiles and inverters.
(iv) Dry cells do not have a long life.
2(b.) Methane and methanol can be used as fuels in fuel cells
Q3. Depict the galvanic cell in which the reaction Zn(s) + 2Ag+ (aq) →Zn2+(aq) +
2Ag(s) takes place. Further show: (i) Which of the electrode is negatively charged?
(ii) The carriers of the current in the cell.
(iii) Individual reaction at each electrode.

ANSWER 3: The galvanic cell in which the given reaction takes place is depicted as:
Zn)| Zn2+ (aq) ||Ag+ (aq) |Ag(s)
(i) The negatively charged electrode is the Zn electrode (anode).
(ii) The current carriers in the cell are free electrons which move from anode to
cathode. Current flows to zinc from silver in the external circuit.
(iii) Reaction at the
anode is given by Zn(s)
→Zn (aq) 2+ +2e−
Reaction at the cathode
is given by Ag+ + e- →
Ag

Q4. Predict the products of electrolysis in each of the following.

(i) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with silver electrodes
(ii) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with platinum electrodes
(iii) A dilute solution of H2SO4 with platinum electrodes
Answer 4:
(i) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with silver electrodes
Cathode: the deposition of silver
Anode: silver electrode at the anode dissolves in the solution to form Ag+.
(ii) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with platinum electrodes
Cathode: the deposition of silver
Anode: OH− ions have a lower discharge potential and get preference and
decompose to liberate O2.
(iii) A dilute solution of H2SO4 with platinum electrodes
Cathode: H2 gas. Anode: O2 gas

Q5. What is corrosion? Explain the electrochemical theory of rusting of iron

and write the reactions involved in the rusting of iron.
Answer 5: Corrosion: Corrosion is defined as the deterioration of a substance
because of its reaction with its environment. Corrosion is an electrochemical
phenomenon. At a particular spot of an object made of iron, oxidation takes place
and that spot behaves as anode and the reaction is : At Anode : 2Fe → 2Fe+2 +
4e–
Electrons released at anodic spot move through the metal and go to another spot on the
metal and reduce oxygen in presence of H+. This spot behaves as cathode
At Cathode : O2 + 4H+ + 4e-→ 2H2O
Overall reaction : 2Fe + O2 + 4H+ → 2Fe+2 + 2H2O
SECTION D: (5 MARKS QUESTIONS)
Q1a. Define conductivity and molar conductivity for the solution of an
electrolyte. Discuss their variation with concentration
b. The conductivity of the 0.20 M solution of KCl at 298 K is 0.0248 Scm-1.
Calculate its molar conductivity.
ANSWER 1:
1(a) Conductivity: The conductivity of a solution is defined as the conductance of
a solution of 1 cm in length and area of cross-section 1 sq. cm. Specific
conductance is the inverse of resistivity, and it is represented by the symbol κ. If ρ
is resistivity, then we can write K=1/ ρ At any given concentration, the conductivity
of a solution is defined as the unit volume of solution kept between two platinum
electrodes with the unit area of the cross-section at a distance of unit length.
Variation with concentration: When concentration decreases, there will be a
decrease in Conductivity. It is applicable for both weak and strong electrolytes.
This is because the number of ions per unit volume that carry the current in a
solution decreases with a decrease in concentration.
Molar conductivity: The molar conductivity of a solution at a given concentration
is the conductance of volume V of a solution containing 1 mole of the electrolyte,
kept between two electrodes with the area of cross-section A and distance of unit
length. Λm = K (A / l ) Now, l = 1 and A = V (volume containing 1 mole of the
electrolyte) Λm = KV
Variation with concentration: Molar conductivity increases with a decrease in
concentration. This is because the total volume V of the solution containing one
mole of the electrolyte increases on dilution.

1(b) Conductivity = 0.0248 S cm-1 = 0.0248 ohm-1 cm-1

Molar concentration = 0.20 M= 0.2 mol /l= 0.2 mol / 1000 cm3 = 2.0 x
10-4 mol cm-3 Molar conductivity = K/C= 0.0248 ohm-1 cm-1/ 2.0x 10-4
mol cm-3
= 124 ohm-1 mol-1cm2 =124 Smol-1 cm2

Q2. Explain the working of a galvanic cell through observations made when
electric current flows through the circuit by taking the example of Zn/CuSO4
reaction. ?
ANSWER 2 :When electric current flows through the circuit following observations are made
1. Zinc rod loses its weight
2. The concentration of Zn+2 in the zinc sulphate solution increases
3. Copper gets deposited on the electrode.
4. The concentration of Cu+2 in copper sulphate solution decreases.
5. Electric current flows from copper to zinc.