Consider the galvanic cell,Pb(s)| Pb2+(aq)|| Cu²⁺(aq)| Cu(s).Which one of the following changes to the cell would cause the cell potential to increase (i.e. ,become more positive)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increasing the concentration of Cu²⁺ will shift the reaction towards the reduction of Cu2+ to Cu, which would increase the cell potential. This happens because an increase in the concentration of a reactant shifts the equilibrium towards the product side to utilize the excess reactant, and in this case, Cu2+ is the limiting reactant. The concentration of Pb2+ is not directly involved in the redox reaction and thus has no effect on the cell potential. Changing the mass of the electrodes also does not affect the cell potential as long as the concentration of the species remains the same.

Consider the Galvanic Cell,Pb(s)| Pb2+(aq)|| Cu2+(aq)| Cu(s)

Consider the Galvanic Cell,Pb(s)| Pb2+(aq)|| Cu²⁺(aq)| Cu(s)