Pacemakers are electronic devices that help regulate the heart rate. Currently, lithium-iodine cells are commonly used to power pacemakers and have replaced zinc-mercury cells. Table 1 provides the operating cell potential, EE, for each cell. Table 2 provides the standard reduction potentials for several half-reactions related to zinc-mercury and zinc-air cells. Which of the following best explains the modification to the cell design that is mostly responsible for the difference in standard cell potentials for zinc-mercury and zinc-air cells?

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Pacemakers are electronic devices that help regulate the heart rate. Currently, lithium-iodine cells are commonly used to power pacemakers and have replaced zinc-mercury cells. Table 1 provides the operating cell potential, EE, for each cell. Table 2 provides the standard reduction potentials for several half-reactions related to zinc-mercury and zinc-air cells. Which of the following best explains the modification to the cell design that is mostly responsible for the difference in standard cell potentials for zinc-mercury and zinc-air cells? A. The greater standard cell potential of the Zn-airZn-air cell compared to that of the zinc-mercury cell most likely results from the thermodynamically more favorable reduction of O2 compared to HgO B. The greater standard cell potential of the Zn-air cell compared to that of the zinc-mercury cell most likely results from the greater number of moles of e− required to reduce O2 compared to HgO. C. The greater standard cell potential of the Zn-air cell compared to that of the zinc-mercury cell most likely results from the thermodynamically less favorable reduction of O2 compared to HgO . D. The greater standard cell potential of the Zn-airZn-air cell compared to that of the zinc-mercury cell most likely results from the greater number of moles of hydroxide ions required to reduce [Zn(OH)4]2−[Zn(OH)4]2− compared to Zn(OH)2Zn(OH)2.
Table 1
Cell Type
Operating Cell Potential for Commercial Batteries, E (V)
Lithium-iodine
+2.80
Zinc-mercury
+1.35
Table 2
Half-Reaction
Standard Reduction Potential, E° (V)
[Zn(OH),]? + 2 e¯ → Zn +4 OH¯
-1.20
Zn(OH)2
+ 2 e- → Zn + 2 OH
-1.25
HgO + H2O + 2 e- → Hg + 2 OH¯
+0.10
O2 + 2 H2O + 4e¯ → 4OH
+0.40
Transcribed Image Text:Table 1 Cell Type Operating Cell Potential for Commercial Batteries, E (V) Lithium-iodine +2.80 Zinc-mercury +1.35 Table 2 Half-Reaction Standard Reduction Potential, E° (V) [Zn(OH),]? + 2 e¯ → Zn +4 OH¯ -1.20 Zn(OH)2 + 2 e- → Zn + 2 OH -1.25 HgO + H2O + 2 e- → Hg + 2 OH¯ +0.10 O2 + 2 H2O + 4e¯ → 4OH +0.40
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