Predict the species that will be oxidized first if the following mixture of molten salts undergoes electrolysis:

a.) cu2+

b.) mg2+

c.) cl-

d.) br-

e.) f-

Explanation:

the species that will be oxidized first will depend upon their oxidation potential .  

oxidation potential are given as follows

F⁻ =  -  2.87 V   , Br⁻ = - 1.09 V , Cl⁻ = -1.36 V, Mg⁺² = -2.37 V, Cu⁺² = +.34 V

Higher the oxidation potential , higher the tendency to be oxidised .

so Cu⁺²  is easiest to be oxidised  . F⁻ is to be oxidised most difficult.

The order from easiest to most difficult as follows

Cu⁺² >  Br⁻ > Cl⁻ > Mg⁺² > F⁻

answer: the enthalpy of the overall chemical reaction is +87.88 kj or +88 kj.

according to hess's law, the overall enthalpy of a reaction is the difference between the sum of enthalpy values of all the products and the sum of enthalpy values of all the reactants.

δh(reaction) = ∑nδh(products) - ∑nδh(reactants)

δh(reaction) = [δh +δh] - [δh]

δh(reaction) = [1(-287.02) + 1(0) ] - [1(-374.9)] kj = +87.88 kj

here, δh (pcl3) = -287.02 kj, δh(cl2) = 0, δh(pcl5) = -374.9 kj

therefore, enthalpy of the overall reaction is +87.88 kj or +88 kj.

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