For a general redox reaction Anode Red1 Ox1n1+ + n1e- Cathode Ox2 + n2e- Red2n2- Which of the following statement is incorrect?
- The overall reaction can be written as n2Red1 + n1Ox2 n2Ox1n1+ + n1Red2n2-
- The electrons do not appear in the overall reaction because electrons produced at the anode are consumed at the cathode.
- [figure] Here n is the number of electrons transferred in redox reaction.
- If the reaction is carried out reversibly, the electrical work done is equal to the ratio of charge and potential difference through which charge is moved.
Answer
(4) If the reaction is carried out reversibly, the electrical work done is equal to the ratio of charge and potential difference through which charge is moved.
Solution
(A) Multiply the anode reaction by n2 and the cathode reaction by n1 so that the electrons cancel:
n2Red1 + n1Ox2 n2Ox1n1+ + n1Red2n2- ⇒ correct
(B) The electrons released at the anode are taken up at the cathode, so they cancel ⇒ correct
(C) Nernst equation: E = E - RTnF Q
⇒ E - E RT/F = - 2.303n 10Q
⇒ straight lines through the origin with slope - 2.303n, i.e. magnitude ∝ 1n (steepest for n = 1) ⇒ correct
(D) As per NCERT, electrical work = potential difference × charge passed: W = nFEcell (= −ΔG for reversible operation). It is the product, not the ratio ⇒ incorrect
Answer: (4)