Question

Find the charge required to flow through an electrolyte to liberate one atom of (a) a monovalent material and (b) a divalent material.

Answer 1

(a) Amount of charge required by 1 equivalent mass of the substance = 96500 C

For a monovalent material,

equivalent mass = molecular mass

⇒ Amount of charge required by 6.023 × 10²³ atoms = 96500 C

∴ Amount of charge required by 1 atom = \[\frac{96500}{6 . 023 \times {10}^{23}} = 1 . 6 \times  {10}^{- 19} C\]

(b) For a divalent material,

equivalent mass = \[\frac{1}{2}\] molecular mass

⇒ Amount of charge required by

\[\frac{1}{2}\times6.023\times10^{23}=96500C\]

∴ Amount of charge required by 1 atom = 1.6 × 2 × 10⁻¹⁹ = 3.2 × 10⁻¹⁹ C