Q. At 25℃ temperature, the cell potential of a given electrochemical cell is 1.92 V. Find the value of $x$. $Mg\ (s)\ |\ {Mg}^{2 +}(aq)\ x\ M\ ||\ {Fe}^{2 +}(aq)\ 0.01\ M\ |\ Fe\ (s)$ $\ E^{{^\circ}}\ Mg\ /{Mg}^{2 +}\ (aq)\ = \ 2.37\ V\ \ E^{{^\circ}}\ Fe/\ {Fe}^{2 +}(aq)\ = \ 0.45\ V$

A) $x\ = \ 0.01\ M$
B) $x\ < \ 0.01\ M$
C) $x\ > \ 0.01\ M$
D) $x$ cannot be predicted
Explanation

(a)
$E_{cell}^{{^\circ}} = E_{C} - \ E_{A}$
= - 0.45 – (-2.37)
= -1.92 V
$Mg\ (s)\ |\ {Mg}^{2 +}(aq)\ x\ M\ ||\ {Fe}^{2 +}(aq)\ 0.01\ M\ |\ Fe\ (s)$
The cell reaction is
$Mg\ + \ {Fe}^{2 +}\ \rightarrow \ {Mg}^{2 +}\ + \ Fe$
$E_{cell} = \ E_{cell}^{{^\circ}} - \ \frac{0.059}{n}\log\frac{\lbrack{Mg}^{2 +}\rbrack}{\lbrack{Fe}^{2 +}\rbrack}$
$1.92\ = \ 1.92\ –\ \frac{0.059}{n}\ \ \log\ \frac{x}{0.01}$
$0\ = \ \frac{- 0.059}{2}\ \log\ \frac{x}{0.01}$
∴ $x = 0.01\ M$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.