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Scientists are currently researching an experimental secondary cell - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 6
Scientists are currently researching an experimental secondary cell. The following reaction takes place in the experimental cell during discharge: Fe2(SO4)3(aq) + ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Scientists are currently researching an experimental secondary cell - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. State the energy transformation that occurs in the experimental cell during discharge.
Answer
During the discharge of the experimental cell, the transformation occurs from chemical energy to electrical energy. The chemical energy stored in the reactants is converted into electrical energy, which can then be utilized to perform work.
Step 2
b. Which reactant is the oxidising agent in the experimental cell during discharge? Use oxidation numbers to justify your answer.
Answer
The oxidising agent in the experimental cell during discharge is Fe2(SO4)3 or Fe^3+. The oxidation state of iron in Fe2(SO4)3 is +3, and during the reaction, it is reduced to an oxidation state of +2 in FeSO4. This change in oxidation state indicates that Fe^3+ gains electrons, confirming that it acts as the oxidising agent. The balanced half-reaction can be expressed as:
ightarrow ext{Fe}^{2+}$$