A student constructs a galvanic cell that has a strip oflead metal immersed in a solution of 0.1MPb(NO3)2 as one half-cell and a strip of zincmetal immersed in a solution of 0.1 MZn(NO3)2 as the other half-cell. The measuredcell potential is less than zero when the positive terminal of thevoltmeter is attached to the zinc strip and the negative terminalis attached to the lead strip. Which half-cell is the anode (Pb or Zn)? Which half-cell is the cathode? Do the electrons flow from Zn to Pb or vice versa? Which metal is more "active" Zn or Pb? A student constructs a galvanic cell that has a strip oflead metal immersed in a solution of 0.1MPb(NO3)2 as one half-cell and a strip of zincmetal immersed in a solution of 0.1 MZn(NO3)2 as the other half-cell. The measuredcell potential is less than zero when the positive terminal of thevoltmeter is attached to the zinc strip and the negative terminalis attached to the lead strip. Which half-cell is the anode (Pb or Zn)? Which half-cell is the cathode? Do the electrons flow from Zn to Pb or vice versa? Which metal is more "active" Zn or Pb?
Explanation / Answer
Anode is Zn Cathode is Pb Electrons flow from Zn to Pb Reactivity of a metal 1 / E0Red Zn has lower reduction potential, so it is more reactive. Zn has lower reduction potential, so it is more reactive.