Chapter U5.19, Problem 1E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The direction of electron transfer in an electrochemical cell needs to be determined.

Concept introduction: In an electrochemical cell, the energy is expressed in voltage. The overall voltage is measured as the difference between the potentials of the half cells.

Answer to Problem 1E

In an electrochemical cell, electrons are transferred from the more active metal to the less active metal.

Explanation of Solution

The activity series of metal in the order of increasing reactivity is,

Gold < Silver < Mercury < Bismuth < Antimony < Hydrogen < Lead < Tin < Nickel < Cobalt < Cadmium < Iron < Chromium < Zinc < Manganese < Aluminium < Calcium < Strontium < Barium < Lithium < Sodium < Potassium

This reactivity series implies that a metal with high reactivity can displace a metal with a low reactivity.

So, in a electrochemical cell, electrons are transferred from the more active metal to the less active metal.

Conclusion

The electrons are transferred from the more active metal to the less active metal in a electrochemical cell.