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Thu 17 Jul, 2014 04:20 am
There is a voltaic cell constructed from a standard zinc electrode and a standard copper electrode both placed in the same sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
(-)Zn/H2SO4(aq)/Cu(+)
The following reactions occur:
oxidation: Zn(s) -----> Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
reduction: 2H+(aq)+2e- -----> H2(g)
--------------------------------------------------
net: Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) ------> Zn2+(aq)+H2(g)
Now, I need to calculate the standard cell potential of the above volatic cell.
I subtracted the standard reduction potential of Zn2+(-0.76V) from H+(0.00V) to get 0.76V.
However, some books say it is indeed 0.76V while others say it is 1.1V
(Which is calculated by subtracting the reduction potential of Zn2+(-0.76V) from Cu2+(+0.34V)).
Which is the correct answer?