I tried to figure this out with my standard reduction potentials sheet, and tried to find a sulfate ion for the first part, but I don't think that is the answer...any help is much appreciated

PartA Suppose you had a solution containing Pb2+ and Tl+ and wanted to convert the lead to solid metal but leave the Tl+ in solutin. What reducing agent(s) would be able to drive the reaction?

a thin metal sheet is compposed of Fe and Cobalt

You would like to recover the Cobalt What oxidizing agent(s) would allow you to ionize Fe to Fe2+ but not ionize Co?

The activity series of metals is

Tl
Co
Ni
Sn
Pb
Hydrogen

Any metal at the top will displace the ION of any metal BELOW it in the series. Therefore, Co, Ni, and Sn will displace Pb^+2 from solution and deposit Pb metal but will not displace an ion ABOVE it (so Tl^+ doesn't get displaced). Co is the closest to Tl; therefore, I would pick Ni or Sn. Try those with your voltage numbers and see if that works.

thank you--also, does this work for the Fe iron part of the question too?

The same procedure works for the Fe/Co part but I don't have iron in the series. You need to put Fe in at the proper spot. By the way, I think you interchanged the words ionize/oxidize. I think you wanted the word oxidize.

Of course! I'd be happy to help you figure it out. It sounds like you are working on a question related to reduction potentials and the sulfate ion.

To clarify, are you looking for the reduction potential value for the sulfate ion, or are you trying to determine something else related to a sulfate ion reaction? Could you please provide some additional context or details about the question you are trying to solve? This will allow me to give you the most accurate assistance.