Question

Predict the species that will be reduced first if a mixture of molten salts containing the following ions undergoes electrolysis:

Zn2+, Mn2+, Na+, Al3+, Li+

Hint! You may need to consult the table of Standard Reduction Potential on the data sheet.

Answer 1

Answer: Zn2+

Explanation:

The standard reduction potential of the given species is as follows:-

$\begin{aligned}&Z_{(aq)}^{2+}+2 e^{-} \longrightarrow {Zn}(\mathrm{s}) \quad E^{\circ}=-0.76 \mathrm{~V}\\&\mathrm{Mn}_{(\text {aq) }}^{2+}+2 e^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Mn}(\mathrm{s}) \quad E^{\circ} = -1.03 \mathrm{~V}\\&\mathrm{Na}^{+}_{(\text {aq) }} + e^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Na}\text{(s)} \quad E^{\circ}=-2.71 \mathrm{~V}\end{aligned}$

$\begin{aligned}&\mathrm{Al}_{(\text {aq) }}^{3+}+3 e^{-} \longrightarrow \text {Al}\text{(s)}\quad E^{0}=-1.66 \mathrm{~V}\\&\mathrm{Li}^{+}(aq)+{e}^{-} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Li}\text{(s)} \quad E^{0}=-3.05 \mathrm{~V}\end{aligned}$

In the electrochemical series, the species having the lowest electromotive force—the lowest negative value—will be reduced first and the species having the highest negative value will be reduced last

Therefore, Zn2+ will be reduced first and Li+ will be reduced last

Answer 2

The reduction has been defined as the loss of electrons. The species of molten salt that reduces first has been zinc ion in electrolysis.

What is electrolysis?

The electrolysis has been defined as the process of the ionization of the salt under the influence of the electric field.

The species with the lowest reduction potential will reduce first. The reduction potential of the following is:

• Zinc ion = -0.76 V
• Manganese ion =  -1.03 V
• Sodium ion = -2.71 V
• Aluminum ion = -1.66 V
• Lithium-ion = -3.05 V

Zinc has the lowest reduction potential and thus is the reduced first among the others.

Learn more about electrolysis, here:

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