NVAMediumJEE 2023Nernst Equation

JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

At 298K298 \, \text{K}, the standard reduction potential for Cu2+/Cu\text{Cu}^{2+}/\text{Cu} electrode is 0.034V0.034 \, \text{V}. Given: KaK_a, Cu(OH)2\text{Cu(OH)}_2 = 1×1091 \times 10^{-9}. The reduction potential at pH=14\text{pH} = 14 for the above couple is (X)×107(X) \times 10^{-7}. The value of XX is:

Answer

Correct answer:25

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Standard reduction potential of Cu2+/Cu\text{Cu}^{2+}/\text{Cu} is 0.034V0.034 \, \text{V} and the solution works at pH=14\text{pH} = 14.

Find: The value of XX in the required form.

From the dissolution equilibrium of copper hydroxide,

Cu(OH)2(s)Cu2+(aq)+2OH(aq)\text{Cu(OH)}_2 (\text{s}) \rightleftharpoons \text{Cu}^{2+} (\text{aq}) + 2\text{OH}^- (\text{aq})

we use

Ksp=[Cu2+][OH]2K_{\text{sp}} = [\text{Cu}^{2+}] [\text{OH}^-]^2

At pH=14\text{pH} = 14, we have pOH=0\text{pOH} = 0, so

[OH]=1M[\text{OH}^-] = 1 \, \text{M}

Hence,

[Cu2+]=Ksp[OH]2=1×102012=1×1020M[\text{Cu}^{2+}] = \frac{K_{\text{sp}}}{[\text{OH}^-]^2} = \frac{1 \times 10^{-20}}{1^2} = 1 \times 10^{-20} \, \text{M}

For the reduction half-reaction

Cu2+(aq)+2eCu(s)\text{Cu}^{2+} (\text{aq}) + 2\text{e}^- \rightarrow \text{Cu} (\text{s})

the Nernst equation is

E=E0.0592log10(1[Cu2+])E = E^\circ - \frac{0.059}{2} \log_{10} \left( \frac{1}{[\text{Cu}^{2+}]} \right)

Substituting the values,

E=0.0340.0592log10(11×1020)E = 0.034 - \frac{0.059}{2} \log_{10} \left( \frac{1}{1 \times 10^{-20}} \right)

Since

log10(1020)=20\log_{10}(10^{20}) = 20

we get

E=0.0340.0592×20E = 0.034 - \frac{0.059}{2} \times 20 E=0.0340.59=0.25VE = 0.034 - 0.59 = -0.25 \, \text{V}

Thus the reduction potential corresponds to 2525 in the required form used in the solution. Therefore, the value of XX is 2525.

Common mistakes

  • Using [OH]=1014[\text{OH}^-] = 10^{-14} at pH=14\text{pH} = 14 is incorrect because pH=14pOH=0\text{pH} = 14 \Rightarrow \text{pOH} = 0. Therefore, use [OH]=1M[\text{OH}^-] = 1 \, \text{M} instead.

  • Confusing the given equilibrium constant and substituting the wrong value in the solubility relation gives an incorrect [Cu2+][\text{Cu}^{2+}]. First write Ksp=[Cu2+][OH]2K_{\text{sp}} = [\text{Cu}^{2+}][\text{OH}^-]^2 and then substitute carefully.

  • Applying the Nernst equation with the wrong sign is a common error. For the reduction reaction, the reaction quotient appears as 1/[Cu2+]1/[\text{Cu}^{2+}], so the logarithmic term must be subtracted as shown in the solution.

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