A galvanic cell is built as
Ag(s)∣AgBr(s)∣KBr(0.010 M)∥AgNO3(0.10 M)∣Ag(s) at
298 K. Given
Ksp(AgBr)=5.0×10−13 and
F2.303RT=0.0591 V, the emf of the cell, in V, is ______. (Give the answer correct to two decimal places.)
Show answer and solution
Answer: 0.55
The left half-cell is a silver electrode in contact with
AgBr and
0.010 M bromide, so the silver ion concentration there is fixed by the solubility product:
[Ag+]L=[Br−]Ksp=0.0105.0×10−13=5.0×10−11 M. The right half-cell has
[Ag+]R=0.10 M. Both electrodes are silver, so
E∘=0 and this is a concentration cell with
n=1, with the more dilute side as anode. Then
E=0.0591log[Ag+]L[Ag+]R=0.0591log5.0×10−110.10=0.0591log(2.0×109). Since
log(2×109)=9.301,
E=0.0591×9.301=0.5497≈0.55 V. Because the right-hand silver ion concentration is far larger, the right electrode is the cathode where
Ag+ is reduced, and the left electrode is the anode where silver is oxidised and immediately precipitates as
AgBr in the bromide medium, so the left half-cell stays saturated and its silver ion level does not drift.