Solving Electrochemistry Lab with Al+3, Cu+2, Fe+3, Zn+2, KNO3

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The discussion revolves around confusion regarding the electrochemical reactions in a lab setup involving Al+3, Cu+2, Fe+3, Zn+2, and KNO3. The user is uncertain about how to identify oxidation and reduction reactions since both solutions contain positive ions. They have provided half-reactions and their standard reduction potentials but are struggling to determine the overall reactions. A suggestion is made to measure the EMF for each cell created and to clarify which metals were used for the electrodes. Understanding the oxidation states and identifying the correct half-reactions is crucial for solving the lab's challenges.
mikesown
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I'm very confused with an electrochemistry lab. For the lab, we used Al+3, Cu+2, Fe+3, Zn+2, and KNO3. The setup was wells with all of the solutions in them. We soaked a piece of paper(filter paper) in KNO3 for the reactions, then used the paper as a salt bridge between the solutions of the ions for all combinations(i.e. Cu+2 with Fe+3, Fe+3 with Zn+2 etc.). What I'm confused with is how to write the reactions as both cells have positive ions in them, making them both reduction reactions, unless I'm missing something horribly wrong. Can someone help me? I have no clue what the oxidation reactions are. This is what I have so far:
<br /> \subsection{\ce{Al^{+3}} and \ce{Cu^{+2}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Cu^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Cu^{+2} +2e^{-} -&gt; Cu} .34V<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Al^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Al^{+3} + 3e^{-} -&gt; Al} -1.66V <br /> \subsection{\ce{Cu^{+2}} and \ce{Fe^{+3}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Cu^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Cu^{+2} +2e^{-} -&gt; Cu} .34V<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Fe^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Fe^{+3} + e^{-} -&gt; Fe^{+2}} .77V<br /> \subsection{\ce{Fe^{+3}} and \ce{Zn^{+2}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Fe^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Fe^{+3} + e^{-} -&gt; Fe^{+2}} .77V<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Zn^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Zn^{+2} + 2e^{-} -&gt; Zn} -.76V<br /> \subsection{\ce{Al^{+3}} and \ce{Fe^{+3}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Al^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Al^{+3} + 3e^{-} -&gt; Al} -1.66V <br /> \paragraph{\ce{Fe^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Fe^{+3} + e^{-} -&gt; Fe^{+2}} .77V<br /> \subsection{\ce{Al^{+3}} and \ce{Zn^{+2}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Al^{+3}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Al^{+3} + 3e^{-} -&gt; Al} -1.66V <br /> \paragraph{\ce{Zn^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Zn^{+2} + 2e^{-} -&gt; Zn} -.76V<br /> \subsection{\ce{Cu^{+2}} and \ce{Zn^{+2}}}<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Cu^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Cu^{+2} +2e^{-} -&gt; Cu} .34V<br /> \paragraph{\ce{Zn^{+2}} half reaction}<br /> \ce{Zn^{+2} + 2e^{-} -&gt; Zn} -.76V<br />
 
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Did you try to measure an EMF on each of these cells you created? If so, what metal was used for the electrodes in each case?
 
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