1. Use the activity series from your text to determine whether tin will dissolve

Question

1. Use the activity series from your text to determine whether tin will dissolve in a 1.0M acid solution (a solution of H+ ions) according to the following equation. Explain your answer. Sn(s) + 2H+ (aq) J Sn+2(aq) + H2(g)

2. Would a battery constructed of tin (Sn/Sn+2) and lead (Pb/Pb+2) be of much value? Why or why not? Hint: calculate the reduction potential for the battery.

3. Martin Smythe constructed a potato battery by inserting strips of copper and zinc into a potato. The metal strips were attached to the electrical leads of a clock. What is the voltage produced by the battery?

4. What is the purpose of the potato in question 3?

Explanation / Answer

1. In my activity series (I don't know about your textbook) Sn is above H, so Sn should be oxidized (and dissolved) by an acid.

2. No, not really. The difference in the reduction potential is only 0.01 volts under standard conditions.
From a table of reduction potentials, one gets the following:
Sn2+ + 2e- ---> Sn   E = -0.14 V
Pb2+ + 2e- ---> Pb   E = -0.13 V
Eº cell = -0.13 - (-0.14) = 0.01 V
So, the cell would be Pb as the anode (oxidation) and Sn as the cathode (reduction) and the overall reaction would be Pb(s) + Sn2+ ---> Pb2+ + Sn(s)

3.

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