Homework Question 14.13

[Gabrielle Schwab 1G]

Can someone explain to me when you need to use Pt(s)? Also, for the cell diagram, how do we know the order to write the species that is being oxidized and its oxidized form and vice versa. I know the oxidized half reaction is written on the left of the cell diagram but between the two species on the left how do I determine the order? For example, how would I know to write Ce3+, Ce4+ as opposed to Ce4+, Ce3+. Lastly, can someone explain to me in part d why Au is oxidized as opposed to Au+? Thank you!!

[Chem_Mod]

For an explanation of Pt, see viewtopic.php?f=140&t=11279

The cell diagrams are written outside in. If the cell diagram contains the portion Sn⁴⁺, Sn²⁺||Pb⁴⁺, Pb²⁺, you can read it as Sn⁴⁺ + 2e- --> Sn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ -->Pb⁴⁺ + 2e-.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons so Ag loses an electron to become Ag⁺. If Ag⁺ were oxidized, it would become Ag²⁺ which is not present in the reaction.