Students are attempting to construct a battery in the laboratory that will light
ID: 859777 • Letter: S
Question
Students are attempting to construct a battery in the laboratory that will light up a light bulb. Compare the following lists prepared by students and determine which student will not be able to successfully build a "battery" that will light up the bulb.
Select one:
a. Student 1
large beaker
strip of aluminum metal
strip of silver metal
sodium nitrate solution
aluminum nitrate solution
a porous membrane
a length of copper wire
light bulb
b. Student 2
2 beakers
strip of magnesium metal
strip of nickel metal
magnesium chloride solution
nickel(II) chloride solution
potassium chloride salt bridge
a length of copper wire
light bulb
c. Student 3
2 beakers
strip of zinc metal
strip of gold metal
gold(III) chloride solution
zinc(II) chloride solution
sodium chloride salt bridge
a length of copper wire
light bulb
d. Student 4
1 large beaker
strip of cadmium metal
strip of copper metal
copper(II) chloride solution
cadmium chloride solution
sodium chloride solution
a porous membrane
a length of copper wire
light bulb
Explanation / Answer
Student 1 will not light up the bulb as he has taken sodium nitrate instead of silver nitrate.
There is no Ag+ ion available for reduction. Ag has to be reduced as its reduction
potential is higher than Al.