Question

The assigned voltages for the Mg/Mg²⁺ and Fe/Fe²⁺ will deviate from expected values due to impurities in the Mg strip and the Fe²⁺ solution, so consider the other half cells only when answering this question:

What is the significance of the difference between the tabulated E^o and E_assigned for each of the half cells? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The significance of the difference between the tabulated E cell and E assigned for each of the half cells is can be directlytied to the copper half cell reaction. Since E assigned is zero it can be determined that the potential is calculated soleyby the half cell of the metal that is not copper. Entire cell must be present to measure voltage (indicidual half cells couldnot be measured) but difference is then equal to E literature.[This is because the Cu/Cusup>2+ cell was used as the reference cell and defined as 0.0V instead of the standard hydrogen electrode.]