If excess of Zn is added to 1.0M solution of CuSO4, find the concentration of Cu2+ ions at equilibrium.
Given: E0(Zn2+|Zn)=−0.76V,E0(Cu2+Cu)=−0.34V
Given Zn∣∣Zn2+(0.001M)∣∣∣∣Cu2+(0.1M)∣∣Cu
Overall cell reaction:
Zn⟶Zn2++2e−
Cu2++2e−⟶Cu
Zn+Cu2+⟶Zn2++Cu
E0cell = Standard reduction potential of cathode + standard oxidation potential of anode
E0cell=0.34V+0.76V
E0cell=1.1V
KC=[Zn2+][Cu2+]=10−310−1=10−2
EMF of the cell at any electrode concentration is:
E=E0−0.059nlog(KC)
=1.1−0.0592log(10−2)
=1.1−0.0592×(2)=1.1−0.059
=1.041V