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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Iwillbethebest on March 29, 2009, 08:36:36 PM

Title: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: Iwillbethebest on March 29, 2009, 08:36:36 PM

if the reduction half reaction for chromium is:
Cr2+(aq) + 2e ---->  Cr(s)

what is the reduction half reaction for carbon?

Title: Re: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: Borek on March 30, 2009, 03:15:18 AM

Whatever will happen will depend on the initial form of the carbon.

But my intuition tells me that you got something wrong. Please elaborate on the original question.

Title: Re: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: Iwillbethebest on March 30, 2009, 10:39:31 PM

carbon being a cathode so it is being reduced, so i was thinking what its reduction half reaction

Title: Re: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: Borek on March 31, 2009, 06:53:54 AM

My bet is that it is just a inert electrode - that is, it doesn't change during the reaction. It just serves as a place for the reaction of whatever is in the solution to take place.

Title: Re: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: enahs on March 31, 2009, 11:32:25 AM

Borek is most likely correct. Carbon is usually used as an electrode because it does not take place in the reaction, just carries the electrons.

But under extreme conditions you can get:
C(s) + 4H⁺ + 4e^-  ::equil:: CH₄(g)

Title: Re: what is the reduction half-reaction for carbon?
Post by: Iwillbethebest on April 01, 2009, 10:16:31 PM

both your answer really helped! thanks guys!! appreciate it  ;D