Question

Differentiate between the conductivity of silver and silver chloride solution.

Answer 1

Answer:

Hg/Hg2Cl2,Cl(-) contains a paste of Hg plus Hg2Cl2 mixed with the latter. The Hg metal will prevent the oxidation of Hg(I) to Hg(II), because if this happened the Hg(II) produced is soluble and the electrode will loose its behavior as a reference electrode. Thus the electrode has a good stability due to this prevention.

But, on the other hand, Ag/AgCl electrode has a problem of lower stability(less stable potential) due to the formation of complexes of AgCl2(-) and AgCl3(2-) between AgCl ppt. and Ci(-) of KCl, although a little of Ag(+) ions usually added to KCl, to minimize this problem, but still cannot be as stable as Calomel.

thankyou!