How to Calculate Ksp for Ag2SO4 Using Electrochemistry?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the Ksp for Ag2SO4 using electrochemistry, the electrochemical cell consists of a lead and silver electrode with given half-reaction potentials. The cell voltage is measured at 0.83V, and the concentration of Pb2+ is 1.8 M. The Ksp expression involves the concentrations of Ag+ and SO42- ions, but initial calculations yield an implausibly high concentration of Ag+ at 65.9 M. The discussion suggests that the observed voltage arises from a shift in equilibrium due to the addition of solid silver sulfate, indicating a need to reevaluate the setup and apply separate Nernst equations for both half-cells. Accurate determination of Ksp requires careful consideration of these factors and proper equilibrium conditions.
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Homework Statement



An electrochemical cell is made up of a Pb and an Ag electrode:
Ag+ + e --> Ag(s) E = 0.8V
Pb2+ + 2e --> Pb(s) E = -0.13V

Calculate the Ksp for Ag2SO4(s).
"Note that to obtain ions in the right compartment, excess silver sulfate solid was addded and a small amount of it dissoved"
There is a picture of the cell, showing the Pb electrode on teh left and the Ag on teh right, a voltage of 0.83V and a concentration of 1.8 M Pb2+


Homework Equations



Ksp = [Ag+]^2 * [SO42-]
E = E(ox) + E(red)
E = Eo + (RT/nF)lnQ

The Attempt at a Solution



lead should be the anode, silver the cathode, so E = +0.93V

0.83V = 0.93V + (8.314*298/(2*96,485) ln(1.8/[Ag+]^2)
*no temperature was given, so 298 K was used*
ln(1.8/[Ag+]^2) = -7.789
[Ag+] = 65.9M

this is way too big, so something must be wrong in the of this solution

making lead the cathode and silver the anode doesn't seem to work

it seems that the reason that there is a voltage is that the system went from being at an equilibrium concentration of Ag+ ions (with no voltage) to a voltage of 0.83V when the solid was added, and the Ag+ concentration went up. there is no data on this initial state, but the ratio of Pb to Ag ions can be found...
 
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Write separate Nernst equations for both half cells.
 
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