PAGE 8-1

ANSWERS TO

END-OF-CHAPTER QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 8: ENERGY FROM ELECTRON TRANSFER

Emphasizing Essentials

1. a. Define the terms oxidation and reduction.

b. Why must these processes take place together?

Answer:

a. Oxidation is a process in which an atom, ion, or molecule loses one or more electrons.

Reduction is a process in which an atom, ion, or molecule gains one or more electrons.

b. Electrons must be transferred from the species losing electrons to the species gaining

electrons.

2. Which of these half-reactions represent oxidation and which reduction? Explain your

reasoning.

a. Fe(s) Fe2+

(aq) + 2 e–

b. Ni4+

(aq) + 2 e– Ni

2+(aq)

c. 2 H2O(l) + 2 e– H2(g) + 2 OH

–(aq)

Answer:

a. Oxidation. Iron loses two electrons to form the iron(II) ion.

b. Reduction. The nickel(IV) ion gains two electrons to form the nickel(II) ion.

c. Reduction. Water gains two electrons to the hydrogen ion and the hydroxide ion.

3. You have seen several examples of oxidation–reduction reactions in this chapter. Now

examine these equations and decide which are oxidation–reduction reactions and which are

not. Explain your decisions.

a. Zn(s) + 2 MnO2(s) + H2O(l) Zn(OH)2(s) + Mn2O3(s)

b. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

c. CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)

Answer:

Parts a and c are redox reactions. Electrons must be transferred when an element (Zn in

part a, O2 in part c) reacts to form a compound. Part b is a neutralization reaction in which

ions combine to form a soluble salt and water. Electron transfer does not occur in this case.

4. Comment on the statement: Every combustion reaction is an oxidation–reduction reaction.

Answer:

This is a true statement. Combustion is the rapid combination of a fuel and oxygen to form

products. In the case of burning a hydrocarbon, these products are CO2 and H2O. The oxygen

is reduced, and the hydrogen and the carbon are oxidized to form H2O and CO2, respectively.

PAGE 8-2

Even when substances that do not contain carbon are burned, the reactions can still be

described in terms of oxidation and reduction.

5. Two common units associated with electricity are the volt and the amp. What does each unit

measure?

Answer:

Electric current (an amount of charge per second) is measured in amps. In contrast, the volt is

a measure of electric potential, that is, the force or “pressure” behind this current.

6. Consider this galvanic cell. A coating of impure silver metal begins to appear on the surface

of the silver electrode as the cell discharges.

a. Identify the anode and write the oxidation half-reaction.

b. Identify the cathode and write the reduction half-reaction.

Answer:

a. The anode is Zn(s) and the oxidation half-reaction is:

Zn(s) Zn2+

(aq) + 2 e–

b. The cathode is Ag(s) and the reduction half-reaction is:

2 Ag+(aq) + 2 e

– 2 Ag(s)

7. In the lithium–iodine cell, Li is oxidized to Li+; I2 is reduced to 2 I

–.

a. Write equations for the two half-reactions that take place in this cell, labeling one as

oxidation and the other as reduction.

b. Write an equation for the overall reaction in this cell.

c. Identify the half-reaction that occurs at the anode and the half-reaction that occurs at the

cathode.

Answer:

a. oxidation half-reaction: Li(s) Li+ + e

–

reduction half-reaction: I2(s) + 2 e– 2 I

–

b. overall reaction: 2 Li(s) + I2(s) 2 LiI(s)

c. The oxidation reaction, Li(s) Li+(aq) + e

–, occurs at the anode.

The reduction reaction, I2(s) + 2 e– 2 I

–(aq), occurs at the cathode.

PAGE 8-3

8. a. Is the voltage from a tiny AAA-size alkaline cell the same as that from a large D alkaline

cell? Explain.

b. Will both batteries sustain the flow of electrons for the same time? Why or why not?

Answer:

a. The voltage from both kinds of cells is the same (1.54 V) because voltage depends on the

chemical reaction that is producing the electrical energy and not the size of the electrodes.

The biggest difference in these two kinds of cells is the amount of current each produces. The

amount of current produced by a cell does depend on the size of the cell: Larger cells

generate more current than smaller cells do. The larger D cell will generate a larger current,

but the same voltage as the smaller AAA cells.

b. Larger cells contain more materials and can sustain the transfer of electrons over a longer

period.

9. Identify the type of battery commonly used in each of these consumer electronic products.

Assume none uses solar cells.

a. battery-powered watch c. digital camera

b. MP3 player d. handheld calculator

Answer:

a. battery-powered watch: silver oxide battery

b. MP3 player: Lithium ion battery

c. digital camera: Lithium ion battery

d. calculator: AA or AAA alkaline batteries

10. The mercury battery has been used extensively in medicine and industry. Its overall reaction

can be represented by this equation.

HgO(l) + Zn(s) ZnO(s) + Hg(l)

a. Write the oxidation half-reaction.

b. Write the reduction half-reaction.

c. Why is the mercury battery no longer in common use?

Answer:

a. Oxidation: Zn(s) + 2 OH–(aq) ZnO(s) + H2O(l) + 2 e

–

b. Reduction: HgO(s) + H2O(l) + 2 e– Hg(l) + 2 OH

–(aq)

c. In both 1970 and 1980, a major use for mercury was in batteries. By 1990, awareness of

the dangers of mercury in urban trash had grown. Mercury is a toxic metal and (in some

forms) can accumulate in the biosphere. Safer batteries and the need to recycle batteries led

to the passage of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (The

Battery Act) in 1996.

11. a. What is the function of the electrolyte in a galvanic cell?

b. What is the electrolyte in an alkaline cell?

c. What is the electrolyte in a lead–acid storage battery?

PAGE 8-4

Answer:

a. The electrolyte completes the electrical circuit. It provides a medium for transport of ions,

thus allowing charge to be transferred.

b. KOH paste

c. H2SO4(aq)

12. These are the incomplete equations for the half-reactions in a lead storage battery. They do

not show the electrons either lost or gained.

Pb(s) + SO42–

(aq) PbSO4(s)

PbO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + SO4

2–(aq)

PbSO4(s) + 2 H2O(l)

a. Balance both equations with respect to charge by adding electrons on either side of the

equations, as needed.

b. Which half-reaction represents oxidation and which represents reduction?

c. One of the electrodes is made of lead, the other of lead dioxide. Which is the anode and

which is the cathode?

Answer:

a. Pb(s) + SO42–

(aq) PbSO4(s) + 2 e–

PbO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + SO4

2–(aq) + 2 e

– PbSO4(s) + 2 H2O(l)

b. The first half-reaction shows electrons being lost, so it is the half-reaction of oxidation.

The second half-reaction shows electrons being gained, so it is the half-reaction of reduction.

c. Lead is being oxidized, so lead is the anode. Lead dioxide is being reduced, so it is the

cathode.

13. What is meant by the term hybrid car?

Answer:

In current usage, the term hybrid car refers to the combination of a gasoline engine with a

nickel-metal hydride battery, an electric motor, and an electric generator. Other hybrids using

fuel cells are either available or under development.

14. a. What is the role of the electrolyte in a fuel cell?

b. List two advantages fuel cells have over internal combustion engines.

Answer:

a. The electrolyte allows ions to move between the electrodes, thus completing the circuit.

b. Fuel cells using hydrogen gas (H2) as the fuel produce only water as a product, whereas

internal combustion engines produce many products including the greenhouse gas carbon

dioxide and pollutants such as carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs, and nitrogen monoxide. When

a fuel is oxidized in a fuel cell, 45–55% of the energy released is transferred into electricity.

Combustion engines are only 20–30% efficient because combustion releases energy in the

form of heat, which then must be transferred to electrical and/or mechanical energy.

15. Is the conversion of O2(g) to H2O(l) in a fuel cell an example of oxidation or reduction? Use

electron loss or gain to support your answer.

PAGE 8-5

Answer:

The conversion of O2 to H2O requires a supply of electrons (see equation 8.13) so it is a

reduction reaction. This is the reduction half-reaction:

1/2 O2(g) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 e

– H2O(l)

16. Consider this diagram of a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell used in earlier space missions.

a. How does the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell differ from the

combustion of hydrogen with oxygen?

b. Write the half-reaction that takes place at the anode in this fuel cell.

c. Write the half-reaction that takes place at the cathode in this fuel cell.

Answer:

a. In the combustion of hydrogen with oxygen, the chemical energy is released in the form of

heat and light, often explosively. In a fuel cell utilizing the same chemical reaction, the

chemical energy is released in a controlled manner in the form of electricity.

b. Anode reaction: H2(g) 2 H+(aq) + 2 e

–

c. Cathode reaction: 1/2 O2(g) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 e

– H2O(l)

17. a. What is a PEM fuel cell? How does it differ from the fuel cell represented in question #16?

b. What is an SOFC? How does it differ from the fuel cell represented in question #16?

Answer:

a. PEM stands for proton exchange membrane. In a PEM fuel cell, H2 is oxidized to form H+.

These H+ move through the membrane to react with O2 (which is reduced) to form water. In

the cell described in question #16, the same oxidation-reduction reactions occur, but the

electrodes and electrolytes are different. In addition, the PEM fuel cell operates at room

temperature and the one used for the space mission does not.

b. SOFC stands for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. An SOFC uses solid zirconium oxide and yttrium

oxide as the electrolyte instead of the hot KOH solution shown in question #16. Also, oxide

ions (O2–

) instead of H+ ions are transported from one electrode to the other through the

electrolyte.

18. In addition to hydrogen, methane also has been studied for use in PEM fuel cells. Balance the

given oxidation and reduction half-reactions and write the overall equation for a methane-

based fuel cell.

PAGE 8-6

Oxidation half-reaction:

__CH4(g) + __OH–(aq) CO2(g) + __H2O(l) + __e

–

Reduction half-reaction:

__O2(g) + __H2O(l) + __e– __OH

–(aq)

Answer: Oxidation half-reaction:

CH4(g) + 8 OH–(aq) CO2(g) + 6 H2O(l) + 8 e

–

Reduction half-reaction:

2 O2(g) + 4 H2O(l) + 8 e– 8 OH

–(aq)

Overall reaction:

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) CO2(g) + 2 H2O(l)

19. The reactions in a hydrogen-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) are shown in equations

8.19–8.21. This is the skeleton equation for the oxidation half-reaction if CO, rather than H2,

is the fuel.

a. Balance by adding electrons as needed.

b. Combine the balanced equation for oxidation with that for reduction.

c. Write the overall equation for a carbon monoxide-based SOFC.

Answer:

The reactions in a hydrogen-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) are shown in equations

8.19–8.21. a. CO(g) + O

2– CO2(g) + 2 e

–

b. The reduction half reaction is: ½ O2(g) + 2 e– O

2–

Combined, this gives: CO(g) + O2–

+ ½ O2(g) + 2 e– CO2(g) + 2 e

–+ O

2–

c. CO(g) + ½ O2(g) CO2(g)

20. a. Potassium, a Group 1A metal, reacts with H2 to form potassium hydride, KH. Write the

chemical equation for the reaction.

b. Potassium hydride reacts with water to release H2 and form potassium hydroxide. Write

the chemical equation.

c. Offer a possible reason that potassium is not used to store H2 for use in fuel cells.

Answer:

a. K(s) + ½ H2(g) 2 KH(s)

b. KH(s) + H2O(l) H2(g) + KOH(s)

c. Potassium is a highly reactive metal that can react explosively with water. The risks would

outweigh the benefits.

PAGE 8-7

21. a. What is meant by “the hydrogen economy”?

b. Even if methods for producing hydrogen cheaply and in large quantities were to become

available, what problems would still remain for the hydrogen economy?

Answer:

a. The hydrogen economy refers to producing, storing, and using hydrogen gas to produce

energy.

b. Before achieving all the benefits of the hydrogen economy, the problems of the safe

production, transportation, and storage of large quantities of hydrogen will need to be solved.

22. a. How are equations 8.24 and 8.25 the same and how are they different?

b. How will the energy released in the reaction shown in equation 8.24 compare with the

energy released in the reaction represented by equation 8.25? Explain your reasoning.

Answer:

a. Equations 8.24 and 8.25 are alike in that they both represent the same chemical process,

the oxidation of O2 and reduction of H2 to form H2O. The coefficients differ by a factor of 2.

Equation 8.24 represents the reaction of 2 moles of H2 with 1 mole of O2 to form 2 moles of

H2O, while equation 8.25 represents the reaction of 1 mole of H2 with ½ mole of O2 to

produce 1 mole of O2.

b. The energy released in the reaction shown in equation 8.24 is double the amount released

by the reaction shown in equation 8.25 because the first equation represents twice as many

moles of reactants.

23. Given that 286 kJ of energy is released per mole of H2 burned, what is the maximum amount

of energy that can be released when 370 kg of H2 is burned?

Answer:

370 kg H 2 1000 g

1 kg

1 mol H2

2.0 g H 2

286 kJ

1 mol H2

= 5.3 107

kJ

24. a. Use bond energies from Table 4.2 to calculate the energy released when 1 mol of H2 burns.

b. Compare your result with the stated value of 286 kJ. Account for any difference.

Answer:

a. First write the chemical equation for the reaction.

Then consider the Lewis structures for the reaction.

Energy needed to break bonds:

436 kJ + 1/2 (498 kJ) = 685 kJ

Energy released as new bonds form:

2(467 kJ) = 2934 kJ

The net energy change is (685 kJ) + (2934 kJ) = 2249 kJ.

PAGE 8-8

b. Average bond energies are based on bonds within molecules in the gaseous state. In the

given chemical equation, the H2O formed is present as a liquid rather than as a gas.

Additional energy is released when gaseous water condenses to the liquid state, so the stated

value of 286 kJ is greater than the 249 kJ calculated in part a.

25. Every year, 5.6 1021

kJ of energy comes to Earth from the Sun. Why can’t this energy be

used to meet all of our energy needs?

Answer:

Solar energy is distributed over Earth’s surface. Therefore, it is not very easy to capture,

store, and transform solar energy to meet our energy needs.

26. This unbalanced equation represents the last step in the production of pure silicon for use in

solar cells.

__Mg(s) + __SiCl4(l) __MgCl2(l) + __Si(s)

a. How many electrons are transferred per atom of pure silicon formed?

b. Is the production of pure silicon an oxidation or a reduction reaction? Why do you think

so?

Answer:

a. This is the balanced equation: 2 Mg(s) + SiCl4(l) 2 MgCl2(l) + Si(s)

Each magnesium atom loses 2 electrons, and there are 2 magnesium atoms providing

electrons for one silicon atom. Silicon in SiCl4 picks up the four electrons.

b. The silicon atoms in SiCl4 gain four electrons to form elemental silicon, a reduction

process. The two magnesium atoms each lose two electrons, an oxidation process. Overall,

the production of pure silicon is an oxidation-reduction reaction.

27. The symbol represents an electron and the symbol represents a silicon atom. Does this

diagram represent a gallium-doped p-type silicon semiconductor, or does it represent an

arsenic-doped n-type silicon semiconductor? Explain your answer.

Answer:

Each Si atom is surrounded by 8 electrons, but the atom in the center (the one that is doping

the semiconductor) is surrounded by 9 electrons. Silicon is in Group 4A and has 4 outer

electrons. Thus central atom in the figure must have 5 outer electrons. This is consistent with

an element in Group 5A such as arsenic, so this is an n-type silicon semiconductor.

28. Describe the main reasons why solar cells have solar energy conversion efficiencies

significantly less than the theoretical value of 31%.

PAGE 8-9

Answer:

The efficiency is reduced because some of the radiant energy is reflected by the cell or

absorbed to produce heat instead of an electric current.

Concentrating on Concepts

29. Explain the significance of the title of this chapter, “Energy from Electron Transfer.”

Answer:

In every electrochemical process described in this chapter, energy is produced through

electron transfer. Chemical reaction, such as those that take place in galvanic cells, batteries

and fuel cells, produce electrons that can do work because the anode and cathode are

physically separated in space. The transfer of electrons also may be initiated when light

strikes a photovoltaic cell.

30. Consider these three sources of light: a candle, a battery-powered flashlight, and an electric

light bulb. For each source, provide:

a. The origin of the light

b. The immediate source of the energy that appears as light

c. The original source of the energy that appears as light. Hint: Trace this back stepwise as

far as possible.

d. The end-products and by-products of using each

e. The environmental costs associated with each

f. The advantages and disadvantages of each light source

Answer:

Candlelight

Origin The hot gases that burn and emit light.

Immediate E

source

The hydrocarbon wax, made either by bees or from petroleum.

Original E source Sunlight that drove photosynthesis, which in turn produced the plants

from which bees gathered their food (or years ago died and formed

fossil fuels).

Products Products: CO2, H2O and small amounts of soot and CO.

Environmental

costs

Mainly from the pollutants (and CO2, not classified as a pollutant as of

2007) produced while burning the candles.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Convenient, pretty to look at, produce dirty soot and sometimes start

fires.

PAGE 8-10

Light in a battery-powered flashlight

Origin A wire that glows when it is heated to a high temperature.

Immediate E

source

Energy to heats the wire comes from a chemical reaction in the battery.

Original E source Several possibilities, depending on what energy source was used to

produce the battery. Could have been fossil fuel consumption

(ultimately solar energy) or nuclear power plant (nuclear fission).

Products The end products are different chemicals in the battery while the by-

products are those that are produced during the manufacture of the

battery, bulb, and flashlight.

Environmental

costs

All those associated with the production and disposal of the battery

materials, as well as the side products during the combustion of fossil

fuels (or nuclear fission).

Advantages

Disadvantages

Portable, convenient, clean for the user.

Somewhat expensive.

Light from an electric light bulb

Origin A wire that glows when it is heated to a high temperature.

Immediate E

source

Several possibilities, depending on what energy source was used to

produce the electricity. Could have been fossil fuel consumption or

nuclear power plant.

Original E source The Sun or the ancient stellar synthesis that produced the uranium and

other metals on our planet.

Products The light bulb is very clean at the site where it is used, but produces

pollutants such as NOx, SO2 and particulate matter at the power plant

(if coal combustion) or spent nuclear fuel (if nuclear).

Environmental

costs

See above.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Convenient, safe, inexpensive.

Few to the user, except that the energy costs are relatively high in

comparison to using a fluorescent bulb.

31. Explain the difference between a rechargeable battery and one that must be discarded. Use a

NiCad battery and an alkaline battery as examples.

PAGE 8-11

Answer:

These batteries derive their voltage from different sets of chemical reactions. A rechargeable

battery (such as a NiCad battery) is one in which the oxidation-reduction reaction can be

reversed with the input of energy. This recharges the battery. The oxidation-reduction

reaction in a non-rechargeable battery, such as an alkaline battery, cannot easily be reversed.

Since no way exists to recharge alkaline batteries, they are discarded once they stop

producing electrical energy.

32. Is there a difference between a galvanic cell and an electrochemical cell? Explain, giving

examples to support your answer.

Answer:

The chapter defines only one type of cell: galvanic. A galvanic cell (sometimes called a

voltaic cell) is a device that converts the energy released in a spontaneous chemical reaction

into electrical energy. The term electrochemical cell is broader than this. It also includes cells

that require the input of energy to make them run. Batteries are galvanic cells. So are fuel

cells. Electrolysis, a process described in Chapter 5 that splits water into oxygen and

hydrogen, is an electrolytic cell.

33. What is the difference between a storage battery and a fuel cell?

Answer:

A storage battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy by means of a reversible

reaction. No reactants or products leave the “storage” battery and the reactants can be

reformed during the recharging cycle. A fuel cell also converts chemical energy into

electrical energy but the reaction is not reversible. A fuel cell continues to operate only if fuel

and oxidant are continuously added, which is why it is classed as a “flow” battery.

34. Why are electric cars powered by lead–acid storage batteries alone only a short-term solution

to the problem of air pollution emissions from automobiles? Outline your reasoning.

Answer:

The emissions in question are the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen (SO2 and NOx) as well as

particulate matter. Although cars powered by lead storage batteries do not emit these

chemicals, nonetheless all of them are associated with the manufacture of these batteries.

Thus the emissions still exist; they are just one step removed from the automobile. In

addition, lead is a toxic metal with environmental consequences. Because of its high density,

it is heavy (and expensive) to transport.

35. AgZn batteries are replacing lead–acid batteries in small airplanes, such as

Cessna172s.

a. Why are these batteries, although more expensive, preferable to the lead–acid batteries

used previously?

b. Write the half-reaction of oxidation and of reduction.

PAGE 8-12

Answer:

a. These batteries are lighter and less toxic than the lead-acid batteries.

b. The overall reaction is:

Zn(s) + Ag2O(s) ZnO(s) + 2 Ag(s)

The oxidation half-reaction is: Zn(s) + O2–

(aq) ZnO(s) + 2 e–

The reduction half-reaction is: Ag2O(s) + 2 e– 2 Ag(s) + O

2–(aq)

36. The battery of a cell phone discharges when the phone is in use. A manufacturer, while

testing a new “power boost” system, reported these data.

Time, min.sec Voltage, V

0.00 6.56

1.00 6.31

2.00 6.24

3.00 6.18

4.00 6.12

5.00 6.07

6.35 6.03

8.35 6.00

11.05 5.90

13.50 5.80

16.00 5.70

16.50 5.60

a. Prepare a graph of these data.

b. The manufacturer’s goal was to retain 90% of its initial voltage after 15 minutes of

continuous use. Has that goal been achieved? Justify your answer using your graph.

Answer:

a.

PAGE 8-13

b. The manufacturer’s goal of retaining 90% of the initial battery voltage after 15 minutes of

continuous use has not been achieved. 90% of the initial 6.56 V is 5.90 V, a level that was

reached when the cell phone had been used for only 11 minutes.

37. Assuming that hybrid cars are available in your area, what questions would you ask the car

dealer before deciding to buy or lease a hybrid? Which of these questions do you consider

most important? Offer reasons for your choices.

Answer:

The primary question is likely to be that of fuel economy. How do the new hybrids compare

to other vehicles on the market? Follow-up questions include purchase price, safety record,

maintenance costs, battery lifetime, environmental impacts, and available tax credits. All of

these factors will influence the costs of purchasing and operating the car. Each factor’s

relative importance will depend on personal choices and on the region of the country where

the car is being purchased and driven.

38. You never need to plug in Toyota’s gasoline–battery hybrid car to recharge the batteries.

Explain.

Answer:

The Toyota hybrid car (the Prius) has a gasoline engine sitting side-by-side with nickel-metal

hydride batteries, an electric motor, and a generator. The battery is recharged by regenerative

braking, in which the kinetic energy of the car is transferred to stored electrical energy.

39. Prepare a list of the environmental costs and benefits associated with hybrid vehicles.

Compare that list with the environmental costs and benefits of vehicles powered by gasoline.

On balance, which energy source do you favor, and why?

Answer:

Many hybrid vehicles have greater average fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts.

(Note that many smaller gasoline-powered cars currently achieve better fuel efficiency than

PAGE 8-14

large hybrid vehicles such as SUVs.) Hybrid vehicles generally have fewer emissions (CO,

CO2, NOx, and particulate matter) than gasoline-powered cars. When hybrid vehicles are

running on the electricity generated by braking, they are not depleting fossil fuel supplies.

However, the greater consumer familiarity and lower price of gasoline-powered vehicles

makes them attractive to many people.

40. William C. Ford, Jr., chairman of the board of Ford Motor Company, is quoted as saying that

going “totally green” with zero-emissions vehicles will be a real challenge. Regular drivers

won’t buy high-tech clean cars, Ford admits, until the industry has a “no-trade-off” vehicle

widely available. What do you think he means by a no-trade-off vehicle? Do you think he is

justified in this opinion?

Answer:

A no-trade-off vehicle will perform just as well as a gasoline vehicle at the same price (and

still have zero emissions). Although Mr. Ford’s words may have made sense when he spoke

them, they are less true today (2007 as the 6th

edition goes to press). Those working in the

industry are seeing the need to “go green” and are finding that “green” practices give them a

competitive edge and that people are buying them.

41. Fuel cells were invented in 1839, but never developed into practical devices for producing

electrical energy until the U.S. space program in the 1960s. What advantages did fuel cells

have over previous power sources?

Answer:

The space program required reliable, relatively lightweight power sources. Fuels cells, when

compared to other types of batteries that were available at that time, met those specifications

and did not “run down” or require recharging. A fuel cell will continue to operate as long as

fuel is available.

42. Hydrogen, H2, and methane, CH4, can each be used with oxygen in a fuel cell. Hydrogen and

methane also can be burned directly. Which has greater heat content when burned, 1.00 g of

H2 or 1.00 g of CH4? Hint: Write the balanced chemical equation for each reaction and use

the bond energies in Table 4.2 to help answer this question.

Answer:

The bond energies listed in Table 4.2 for bonds breaking and forming in gases can be used to

calculate the following heats of combustion. These differ somewhat from the values given in

the beginning of this chapter, where the product water is given in the liquid state.

H2(g) + ½ O2(g) H2O(g) heat of combustion = 249 kJ/mol

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) CO2(g)+ 2 H2O(g) heat of combustion = 814 kJ/mol

In each case, the units of the calculated heat of combustion can be changed to kJ/gram by

dividing by the molar mass of the fuel.

For hydrogen:

249 kJ

mol H2

1 mol H2

2.01g H2

124 kJ

g H2

For methane:

814 kJ

mol CH4

1 mol CH4

16.0 g CH4

50.9 kJ

g CH4

PAGE 8-15

43. Engineers have developed a prototype fuel cell that converts gasoline to hydrogen and carbon

monoxide. The carbon monoxide, in contact with a catalyst, then reacts with steam to

produce carbon dioxide and more hydrogen.

a. Write a set of reactions that describes this prototype fuel cell, using octane (C8H18) to

represent the hydrocarbons in gasoline.

b. Speculate as to the future economic success of this prototype fuel cell.

Answer:

a. Conversion of fuel: C8H18(l) + 4 O2(g) 9 H2(g) + 8 CO(g)

catalyst

Elimination of CO: CO(g) + H2O(g) CO2(g) + H2(g)

b. This type of fuel cell is convenient because it runs on a liquid fuel, gasoline, rather than

using gaseous hydrogen. However, the liquid fuel is still petroleum-based and therefore non-

renewable. It also burns to produce CO2, a greenhouse gas. Therefore, although such fuel

cells may find specialty applications in the near future, their long-term prospects are not

good.

44. At this time, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prohibits passengers from

carrying flammable fluids aboard aircraft. Explain how this might affect the development of

microfuel cells for use in consumer electronics such as portable computers.

Answer:

While the microcells described in section 8.6 use methanol as a fuel, the small amounts

required would be unlikely to cause a flammability concern. However, the volume of liquid

fuel required to power a laptop or iPod may exceed the three ounces of liquid per container

currently allowed by U.S. regulations.

45. Consider this representation of two water molecules in the liquid state.

a. What bonds are broken when water boils? Are these intermolecular or intramolecular

bonds? Hint: See Chapter 5 for definitions.

b. What bonds are broken when water is electrolyzed? Are these intermolecular or

intramolecular bonds?

Answer:

a. When water boils, the hydrogen bonds between water molecules are broken. These are

intermolecular bonds.

PAGE 8-16

b. When water is electrolyzed, the covalent bonds within water molecules are broken. These

are intramolecular bonds.

46. Although hydrogen gas can be produced by the electrolysis of water, this reaction is usually

not carried out on a large scale. Suggest a reason for this fact.

Answer:

Electrolysis of water requires an input of 286 kJ of energy per mole of water electrolyzed.

Most of this energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels in conventional power plants. The

inherent inefficiency associated with transforming heat into work limits the usefulness of

large-scale electrolysis and makes the process energy intensive.

47. Small quantities of hydrogen gas can be prepared in the lab by reacting metallic sodium with

water, as shown in this equation.

a. Calculate the grams of sodium needed to produce 1.0 mol of hydrogen gas.

b. Calculate the grams of sodium needed to produce sufficient hydrogen to meet an

American’s daily energy requirement of 1.1 106 kJ.

c. If the price of sodium were $94/kg, what would be the cost of producing 1.0 mol of

hydrogen? Assume the cost of water is negligible.

Answer:

a.

1.0 mol H2 2 mol Na

1 mol H2

23.0 g Na

1 mol Na 46.0 g Na

b.

1.1106 kJ 1 mol H2

286 kJ

2 mol Na

1 mol H2

23.0 g Na

1 mol Na 1.8 105 g Na

c. Using the result from part a:

46.0 g Na 1 kg Na

103 g Na

$94

1 kg Na $4.32

48. a. As a fuel, hydrogen has both advantages and disadvantages. Set up parallel lists for the

advantages and the disadvantages of using hydrogen as the fuel for transportation and for

producing electricity.

b. Do you advocate the use of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation or for the production of

electricity? Explain your position in a short article for your student newspaper.

PAGE 8-17

Answer:

a.

Transportation Electricity

Advantages of H2 lightweight fuel

saves fossil fuels if the

hydrogen is derived from

renewable sources

can be used in fuel cells

large supply potentially

available from water through

electrolysis

fuel cells using H2 are

practical for some

applications

Disadvantages of H2 potentially explosive

difficult to store, handle

expensive to extract H2 from

water

difficult to transport, store,

and handle

b. Personal decisions about the use of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation and/or the

production of electricity should be based largely on the real advantages and disadvantages of

this fuel in the two different applications.

49. Fossil fuels have been called “. . . Sun’s ancient investment on Earth.” Explain this statement

to a friend who is not enrolled in your course.

Answer:

Fossil fuels were formed as the result of photosynthetic processes that took place hundreds of

millions of years ago. Solar energy was a necessary ingredient in the formation, so the energy

that is stored in chemical bonds in fossil fuels originally was invested from the Sun.

50. The cost of electricity generated by solar thermal power plants currently is greater than that

of electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. Given this economic fact, suggest some

strategies that might be used to promote the use of environmentally cleaner electricity from

photovoltaics.

Answer:

Environmentally cleaner electricity may be required to meet the mandates of the Kyoto

Accord. One strategy to promote the use of environmentally cleaner electricity could be to

provide a tax break or a subsidy for companies that produce electricity without consuming

fossil fuels. Changes in the tax system could be imposed that reflect the true dollar and

environmental costs of burning fossil fuels.

51. Name some of the current applications of photovoltaic cells other than the production of

electricity in remote areas.

Answer:

PV devices have demonstrated their practical utility for satellites, highway signs, security and

safety lighting, navigational buoys, and automobile recharging stations.

PAGE 8-18

Exploring Extensions

52. The aluminum–air battery is being explored for use in automobiles. In this battery, aluminum

metal undergoes oxidation to Al3

and forms Al(OH)3. Oxygen from the air undergoes

reduction to OH–

ions.

a. Write equations for the oxidation and reduction half-reactions. Use H2O as needed to

balance the number of hydrogen atoms present, and add electrons as needed to balance the

charge.

b. Add the half-reactions to obtain the equation for the overall reaction in this cell.

c. Specify which half-reaction occurs at the anode and which occurs at the cathode in the

battery.

d. What are the benefits of the widespread use of the aluminum–air battery? What are

some of the limitations? Write a brief summary of your findings.

e. What is the current state of development of this battery? Is it in use in any vehicles at

the present time? What is its projected future use?

Answer:

a. Al + 3 H2O Al(OH)3 + 3 H+ + 3 e

– half-reaction of oxidation

O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e– 4 OH

– half-reaction of reduction

b. To make the number of electrons the same, the first half-reaction must be multiplied by 4,

and the second half-reaction must be multiplied by 3. In this way, 12 moles of electrons are

exchanged in the overall reaction. 4 (Al + 3 H2O Al(OH)3 + 3 H

+ + 3 e

–)

3 (O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e– 4 OH–)

The net equation is 4 Al + 3 O2 + 6 H2O 4 Al(OH)3. c. The half-reaction of oxidation, Al + 3 H2O Al(OH)3 + 3 H

+ + 3 e

–, occurs at the

anode. The half-reaction of reduction, O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e

– 4 OH–, occurs at the cathode.

d. Potential benefits are that aluminum is recyclable, non-combustible, and it is capable of storing a lot of energy. An aluminum–air battery is quite light and uses air as a reactant. It is a non-polluting source of power. Some of the limitations are that obtaining aluminum from its ore is a very energy-intensive process. Even recycling aluminum in a large volume requires considerable energy, potentially limiting the cost and availability of aluminum. In early versions of the battery, the electrolyte degraded the aluminum even when the battery was not in use. Recently, companies have overcome this problem.

e. Despite twenty-five years of research to develop the aluminum–air battery, its use has been

mostly in military applications and no commercial products use the technology. A French

company, Métalectrique (http://www.metalectrique.com), is developing aluminum–air

batteries for use in mobile refrigerators, electric cars, and electric wheelchairs.

53. An iron-based “superbattery” is a promising alternative for delivering more power with

fewer environmental effects than alkaline batteries. Find out how the superbattery is designed

and its state of commercial acceptance.

PAGE 8-19

Answer:

Developed by Stuart Licht of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel,

this rechargeable battery is designed using less toxic materials than other batteries and has a

50% higher energy advantage. In these batteries the manganese dioxide cathode found in a

traditional battery is replaced with compounds containing iron in a +6 oxidation state. (Thus

the batteries are also called “super-iron” batteries.) The batteries can be used anywhere where

AAA batteries are currently used, but the superbatteries are not yet on the market. Additional

information about Licht’s battery is available at:

http://www.weizmann.ac.il/ICS/booklet/3/pdf3/3.pdf.

54. Although Alessandro Volta is credited with the invention of the first electric battery in

1800, some feel this is a reinvention. Research the “Baghdad battery” to evaluate the merit of

this claim.

Answer:

Clay jars found in the National Museum of Iraq have been described as the oldest known

electric batteries in existence. They were initially attributed to the Parthian Empire, an

ancient Asian culture that ruled most of the Middle East from 247 B.C. to A.D. 228.

However, modern archaeologists think the jars may have been created in the later Sassanid

era (A. D. 224 to 640).

The jars were first described in 1938 by German archaeologist Wilhelm König, and to this

day, it is uncertain whether Konig dug them up himself or found them archived in the

museum.

Those who have examined the jars closely say that there is little else that they can be but a

battery. A typical nondescript earthen jar is only 5½ inches high by 3 inches across. The

opening was sealed with an asphalt plug, which held in place a copper sheet, rolled into a

tube. This tube was capped at the bottom with a copper disc held in place by more asphalt. A

narrow iron rod was stuck through the upper asphalt plug and hung down into the center of

the copper tube — not touching any part of it.

Fill the jar with an acidic liquid, such as vinegar or fermented grape juice, and the jar

becomes a battery capable of generating a small current. The acidic liquid permits a flow of

electrons from the copper tube to the iron rod – an electric flow – when the two metal

terminals are connected on the outside of the jar.

Some archeologists remain skeptical that the people making these batteries understood the

batteries’ electrical properties. It is simple to prove that the batteries can generate an

electrical current today, but it is much more difficult to predict what the batteries were used

for in ancient times.

PAGE 8-20

55. If all of today’s technology presently based on fossil fuel combustion were replaced by

H2–O2 fuel cells, significantly more H2O would be released into the environment. Is this

effect a concern? Find out what other effects might be anticipated from switching to a

hydrogen economy.

Answer:

While water is not a criteria air pollutant, it is a greenhouse gas. Excess water in the

atmosphere could therefore contribute to global warming. Other effects include the release of

excess CO2 from the hydrogen production, and those listed in 56b below.

56. a. Hydrogen is generally considered as an environmentally friendly fuel, only

producing water after reacting with oxygen. What effect could the widespread use of

hydrogen have on urban air quality?

b. Some scientists are reporting concerns that leakage of hydrogen gas from cars, hydrogen

production plants, and fuel transportation could cause problems in Earth’s ozone layer. How

significant are these concerns? What is the mechanism by which hydrogen could destroy

ozone?

Answer:

a. The widespread use of hydrogen fuel could dramatically improve urban air quality by

reducing levels of particulate matter and SOx produced by internal combustion engines.

b. In June of 2003, geochemists at Caltech created a stir in the scientific community when

they published theoretical models in the journal Science that predicted hydrogen could leak

from production plants, transport systems, and hydrogen-powered cars in the future. They

predicted a large amount of hydrogen would reach the stratosphere assuming all current

fossil fuel combustion was replaced by hydrogen fuel cells and 10-20% of the hydrogen was

lost to leakage. The additional hydrogen in the stratosphere would react and significantly

increase the amount of water molecules found as ice in the stratosphere. Because ozone is

destroyed by reactions with chlorine radicals that take place on stratospheric ice, the

researchers proposed that the rate of ozone destruction would be enhanced. However, other

scientists in academic and industrial research claim the Caltech group’s hydrogen leakage

estimate is too high. One automobile executive argues that the industry would not allow such

a large amount of a valuable commodity (hydrogen) to go to waste. Another scientist points

out that the leaking hydrogen can be recovered. Others use the Caltech group’s research to

support the idea of on-site hydrogen production.

57. At the cutting edge of technology the line between science and science fiction often

blurs. Investigate the “futuristic” idea of putting mirrors in orbit around Earth to focus and

concentrate solar energy for use in generating electricity.

Answer: Mirrors or lenses could be used to concentrate solar energy on a collection array in space and

send the electricity back to Earth. This technology would counteract one of the major

PAGE 8-21

limitations of current solar technology – the light from the Sun spreads out over Earth and is

relatively weak. Unlike Earth-based solar collectors, orbiting collecting satellites would also

have the advantage of being in the light all the time.

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/214/1

58. Although silicon, used to make solar cells, is one of the most abundant elements in

Earth’s crust, extracting it from minerals is costly. The increased demand for solar cells has

some companies worried about a “silicon shortage.” Use the resources of the Web to find out

how silicon is purified and how the PV industry is coping with the rising prices.

Answer:

Crystalline silicon is used for the production of photovoltaic cells. Two of the common

procedures for synthesizing crystalline silicon are Czochralski Crystal Growth and Float

Zone Crystal Growth. Information can be found at:

http://www.siliconfareast.com/crystal.htm.

To cope with the shortage of silicon, the photovoltaic industry is undergoing a series of

changes. Companies are pursuing business models to increase productivity and secure supply

lines. Researchers are developing and testing a number of synthetic molecules for the next

generation of photovoltaic collectors.

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=43983

59. Figure 8.27 shows an array of photovoltaic cells installed at the Bavaria Solar Park in

Germany. Where in the United States is the largest photovoltaic power plant? Use the Web to

learn of other large-scale photovoltaic cell installations. What factors help to influence this

approach, one that uses a centralized array rather than individual rooftop solar units?

Answer:

Photovoltaics (PV) are being used in parts of California and in Arizona in large-scale

demonstration projects. For example, Pacific Gas and Electric in Kerman, CA is close to

rapidly growing Fresno, CA. The PV substation experiment is designed to measure the value

to the utility of a 500-kW generating plant that can be quickly (within 6 months) placed

where extra power is needed. The results of this experiment will be widely distributed.

In April 2007, construction began on an array of photovoltaics at an Air Force base in

Nevada. When completed, the array will be the largest in the US and will provide the base

with 15-18 megawatts of power, about 25-30% of its need.

PV generation plants have several characteristics that have slowed their use by utilities.

Under current utility accounting, PV-generated electricity still costs considerably more than

electricity generated by conventional plants, and regulatory agencies require most utilities to

supply electricity for the lowest cash cost. Furthermore, photovoltaic systems produce power

PAGE 8-22

only during daylight hours and their output varies with the weather. Utility planners must

therefore treat a PV power plant differently than they would treat a conventional plant.

Despite the costs, utilities are becoming more involved with PV. An alliance has been formed

between DOE, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and several utilities. The

program is called Photovoltaics for Utility-Scale Applications (PVUSA) and there are

presently three pilot projects, including the Kerman PV plant. Photovoltaics have found some

use in other parts of the world, including Australia, Japan, and as the text discusses,

Switzerland. Developing countries have been slower to use photovoltaics on a large scale

because of the high cost.

60. The Solar America Initiative program receives so little publicity that most people in the

United States are unaware of its existence. Design a poster to explain and promote some part

of this program to the general public.

Answer:

The Solar America Initiative is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy. The program

aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of solar energy to the levels of conventional forms of

energy (coal, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, etc) by 2015. Funding is available to

universities and companies for research and development of solar technologies. The program

also gives grants to local governments to encourage changes in energy regulations and

promotion of solar technology among residents. Thirteen U.S. cities were chosen to be Solar

America Cities in 2007, and a second round of grants will be announced in 2008. A third

grant program supports Solar America Showcases, which are large projects that draw public

attention to the benefits of solar energy. The first showcases funded are powering homes on a

military base in Oahu, Hawaii, large buildings in San Jose, CA, and the Orange County

convention center in Florida. Student posters could focus on any of these aspects of the Solar

America Initiative.