Chapter 18, Problem 81E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for why household bleach should not be mixed with household ammonia needs to be provided based on the given half reactions.

Concept Introduction:

Redox reactions are chemical reactions that are expressed in terms of reduction and oxidation half reactions. They involve transfer of electrons between two species.

Oxidation reaction involves loss of electrons whereas reduction is accompanied by the gain of electrons.

The standard voltage (E°) for the cell is the sum of the standard voltages of the reduction and oxidation half reactions, i.e.,

  $\begin{array}{l}{\text{E}}^{\text{0}}{\text{ = E}}_{\text{red}}^{\text{0}}{\text{- E}}_{\text{oxd}}^{\text{0}}\\ {\text{(or) E}}^{\text{0}}{\text{ = E}}_{\text{cathode}}^{\text{0}}{\text{- E}}_{\text{anode}}^{\text{0}}\text{ ----------(1)}\end{array}$