lost at anode, gained at cathode
🔋ACS GENERAL CHEMISTRY STUDY GUIDE
Electrochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry for the ACS Exam
Study galvanic cells, electrolysis, the Nernst equation, radioactive decay, binding energy, and nuclear equations.
8 key ideas8 flashcards5 practice questions
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Track charge in the cell and nucleons in the nucleus.
sum stays equal across the equation
charge count stays equal
Key ideas to know
Start with the relationships between ideas. Then close the notes and explain each one from memory.
- 01
Oxidation loses electrons and reduction gains electrons.
- 02
A galvanic cell uses a spontaneous redox reaction to produce electrical work.
- 03
Electrons travel through the external circuit from anode to cathode.
- 04
The salt bridge permits ion movement that preserves bulk electrical neutrality.
- 05
Standard cell potential equals standard cathode reduction potential minus standard anode reduction potential.
- 06
The Nernst equation connects nonstandard cell potential with reaction quotient.
- 07
Radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics for a large collection of nuclei.
- 08
Nuclear equations conserve mass number and atomic number.
PART OF THE ACS GENERAL CHEMISTRY GUIDE
See every set in this course and follow a focused review order.
Open the full ACS General Chemistry guide →Two ideas worth correcting now
NOT QUITE
→Electrons move through the salt bridge
USE THIS INSTEAD
Electrons use the wire; ions move through the salt bridge.
NOT QUITE
→A short radioactive half-time means each nucleus decays at the same age
USE THIS INSTEAD
Decay is probabilistic, while half-time describes a large collection.
Flashcards
Answer before opening each card. The effort to retrieve is part of the learning.
1Where does oxidation occur?Show answer ＋
At the anode.
2Where do electrons travel in a galvanic cell?Show answer ＋
From anode to cathode through the external circuit.
3What sign does a spontaneous galvanic cell have for Ecell?Show answer ＋
Positive.
4How are ΔG° and E° related?Show answer ＋
ΔG° = −nFE°.
5What happens to E as Q rises for a spontaneous cell reaction?Show answer ＋
E falls according to the Nernst equation.
6What is alpha decay?Show answer ＋
Emission of a helium-4 nucleus.
7What is beta-minus decay?Show answer ＋
A neutron converts to a proton while an electron and antineutrino are emitted.
8What does radioactive half-time measure?Show answer ＋
Time for half of a large starting collection of radioactive nuclei to remain.
Explain it in your own words
Use the answer as a check after you have written or spoken your response.
01How do you balance a redox reaction with half-reactions?
Balance atoms and charge in each half, equalize electrons, add the halves, then cancel common species.
02Why do anions often move toward the anode compartment in a galvanic cell?
Oxidation can build positive charge there, so anions preserve electrical neutrality.
03How can K be obtained from E°?
Combine ΔG° = −nFE° with ΔG° = −RT ln K.
04What daughter forms when carbon-14 undergoes beta-minus decay?
Nitrogen-14, because atomic number rises by one while mass number stays fourteen.
05Why is nuclear binding energy linked to mass defect?
The bound nucleus has less mass than its separated nucleons, and the difference corresponds to energy through E = mc².
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