14-6 Cells as chemical probes.ppt

14-6 Cells as chemical probes It is important to distinguish two types of equilibrium in a galvanic cell: equilibrium between the two half-cells and equilibrium within each half cell. 14-7 Biochemists use Eo’ Formal potential: Potential of a half-reaction (relative to a standard hydrogen electrode) when the formal concentrations of reactants and products are unity. Any other conditions (such as pH, ionic strength, and concentrations of ligands) also must be specified. Finding the formal potential Reduction potential of ascorbic acid, showing its dependence on pH. (a) Graph of the function labeled formal potential. (b) Experimental polarographic half-wave reduction potential of ascorbic acid in a medium of ionic strength = 0.2 M. At high pH (12), the half-wave potential does not level off to a slope of 0, as Equation?14-34 predicts. Instead, a hydrolysis reaction of ascorbic acid occurs and the chemistry is more complex. Example. Cadmium electrode immersed in a solution that is 0.015M in Cd2+ . Solution: Cd2+ + 2e ? Cd(s) ?0 = -0.403 Example: Calculate the potential for a platinum electrode immersed in a solution prepared by saturating a 0.015 M solution of KBr with Br2 Br2(l) + 2e ? 2Br- E0 = 1.065 V Solution: Chapter 15: Electrodes and potentiometry A few definition Potentiometry: the use of electrodes to measure voltages that provide chemical information. Electroactive species: a substance that can accept or donate electrons at an electrode. Indicator electrode: one that develops a potential whose magnitude depends on the activity of one or more species in contact with the electrode. Reference electrode: one that maintains constant potential against which the potential of another half-cell may be measured. 15-1 Reference electrodes Reference electrodes A problem with reference electrodes is that porous plugs become clogged, thus causing sluggish, unstable electrical response. Some designs inc