The standard reduction potential for the half-reaction Sn^4+ + 2e^- rightarrow S
ID: 539526 • Letter: T
Question
The standard reduction potential for the half-reaction Sn^4+ + 2e^- rightarrow Sn^2+ is +0.15 V. Consider data from the table of standard reduction potentials for common half-reactions, in your text. For a galvanic cell under standard conditions, which of the following cathodic half reactions would produce at the anode, a spontaneous oxidation of Sn to Sn^2+ but not Sn^2+ to Sn^4+. Sn^4+ + 2e^- rightarrow Sn^2+ Pb^2+ + 2e^- rightarrow Pb 2H^+ + 2e^- rightarrow H_2 Fe^2+ + 2e^- rightarrow Fe PbSO_4 + 2e^- rightarrow Pb + SO^2-_4 2H_2O + 2e^- rightarrow H_2 + 2OH^-Explanation / Answer
The values for the reduction potials for each reaction are given below.
From the table we see that the oxidation of Sn to Sn2+ requires a reduction potential of +0.14 V and the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ requires a potential of -0.15 V. So the cathodic half cell reaction whose potential lies between +0.14 V and -0.15 V will cause spontaneous oxidation of Sn to Sn2+ but not the oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+. From the table we see that only the reduction potential for the reaction of H+ to H2 satisfies this condition. So only that reaction will be able to spontaneously oxidise Sn to Sn2+ but not the oidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+.
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