PrepRung

JEE Advanced 2019 Paper 2 · Chemistry · Electrochemistry · hard

A galvanic cell is set up as Ag(s) | AgCl(s), saturated AgCl(aq) || Ag^+(0.10 M) | Ag(s) at 298 K. Use Ksp(AgCl)=1.8×10^-10 and 2.303RT/F=0.0592 V.

One or more options correct

A galvanic cell is set up as Ag(s) ∣ AgCl(s), saturated AgCl(aq) ∣∣ Ag+(0.10 M) ∣ Ag(s)\mathrm{Ag(s)\,|\,AgCl(s),\ saturated\ AgCl(aq)\ ||\ Ag^+(0.10\ M)\,|\,Ag(s)} at 298 K298\ \mathrm{K}. Use Ksp(AgCl)=1.8×10−10K_{sp}(\mathrm{AgCl})=1.8\times10^{-10} and 2.303RT/F=0.0592 V2.303RT/F=0.0592\ \mathrm{V}. The correct statement(s) is(are)
  1. A. The EMF of the cell is 0.52 V0.52\ \mathrm{V}
  2. B. The electrode dipped in 0.10 M Ag+0.10\ M\ \mathrm{Ag^+} is the cathode
  3. C. Adding solid NaCl to the left compartment increases the EMF
  4. D. Adding excess aqueous NH3\mathrm{NH_3} to the left compartment decreases the EMF
Show answer and solution

Answer: B, C

The left compartment has only the sparingly soluble salt, so [Ag+]=Ksp=1.34×10−5 M[\mathrm{Ag^+}]=\sqrt{K_{sp}}=1.34\times10^{-5}\ M. This is a concentration cell; the electrode in the more concentrated Ag+\mathrm{Ag^+} solution (0.10 M0.10\ M) has the higher potential and is the cathode, so (B) is correct. E=0.0592log⁡(0.10/1.34×10−5)=0.0592×3.873=0.23 VE=0.0592\log(0.10/1.34\times10^{-5})=0.0592\times3.873=0.23\ \mathrm{V}, so 0.52 V (obtained by wrongly using KspK_{sp} itself for [Ag+][\mathrm{Ag^+}]) is wrong and (A) is wrong. Added chloride lowers the free [Ag+][\mathrm{Ag^+}] on the left through the common-ion effect, which raises the ratio of concentrations, so EE rises and (C) is correct. Ammonia forms [Ag(NH3)2]+\mathrm{[Ag(NH_3)_2]^+} and also lowers free [Ag+][\mathrm{Ag^+}], so the EMF increases, not decreases; (D) is wrong.
Report a mistake

Original question written in the JEE Advanced 2019 Paper 2 pattern and checked twice for the correct answer. Not an official question paper. How we write and check questions · Corrections policy · Report a mistake