The cell notation of a standard galvanic (voltaic) cell containing an unknown metal Y is shown below - NSC Technical Sciences - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 2

1. The concentration of ions involved in the reactions must be 1 mol/dm³.
2. The temperature at which the cell operates must be 25 °C (298 K).

The oxidising agent in this galvanic cell is Copper(II) ions, represented as Cu²+.

6.4.1 Anode: Negative 6.4.2 Cathode: Positive

To identify metal Y, we can use the standard cell potential equation:

$E_{cell} = E_{cathode} - E_{anode}$

Given the cell potential ( 1.10 V), we can assume:

• For Cu, $E_{cathode} = +0.34 ext{ V}$ (standard reduction potential). We need to find $E_{anode}$ for metal Y.

Rearranging gives us:

$E_{anode} = E_{cathode} - E_{cell}$

Plugging in the values:

$E_{anode} = 0.34 ext{ V} - 1.10 ext{ V} = -0.76 ext{ V}$

Using standard reduction potentials, if Y is Zinc (Zn), then $E_{Zn} = -0.76 ext{ V}$. Therefore, metal Y is Zinc (Zn).