Electrochemistry

• schi_zo

  2 Nov 09, 18:57

  For an aq electrolyte e.g. CuSO4(aq) and both electrodes are inert, which half eqns do you use occuring at anode?

  4OH- --> O2 + 2H2O + 4e-   redox pot is -0.40

  or 2H20 --> O2 + 4H+ + 4e-   redox pot is -1.23

  My friend told me not to use 4OH- ions because aq solution does not mean there is abundant H+ ions or OH- ions, so H2O half eqn is used instead.

  He told me acidified solution then able to use H+ ions. RIGHT OR WRONG? im confused..

• dkcx

  2 Nov 09, 19:02

  U not in NS meh why asking chemistry questions now?

• schi_zo

  2 Nov 09, 19:13

  my friend is in NS but not me. I am lazy to create an account so..

• dkcx

  2 Nov 09, 19:15

  Originally posted by schi_zo:

  my friend is in NS but not me. I am lazy to create an account so..

  Wakao, create an account juz need an email u also lazy. I think typing a question requires more work than that...

  I also lazy think of the answer then...

• UltimaOnline

  2 Nov 09, 19:21

  Both are acceptable at 'O' and 'A' level exams. However, for the sake of technical accuracy, it makes better chemistry sense to use water as the species oxidized (and/or reduced) in aqueous solutions, as it's molarity far exceeds that of OH- ions (or H+ ions). Unless the solution is acidic (then H+ rather than water, is reduced at the cathode) or alkaline (then OH- rather than water, is oxidized at the anode).
• schi_zo

  2 Nov 09, 19:27

  Thanks for clearing my doubts!!