Respuesta :

Answer: The total reduction potential of the cell is -3.89 V.

Explanation:

We are given:

  • Reduction of lithium follows the reaction:

[tex]Li^++e^-\rightarrow Li[/tex]

The standard reduction potential for this is -3.04 V

  • Oxidation of mercury follows the reaction:

[tex]Hg\rightarrow Hg^{2+}+2e^-[/tex]

The standard reduction potential for this is -0.85 V

The cell formed by these half reactions is: [tex]Hg/Hg^{2+}||Li^+/Li[/tex]

The cell potential, [tex]E^o_{cell}=E^o_{oxidation}+E^o_{reduction}[/tex]

[tex]E^o_{cell}=[-0.85+(-3.04)]=-3.89V[/tex]

Hence, the total reduction potential of the cell is -3.89 V.