A galvanic cell is constructed with a silver-silver chloride electrode, and a nickel strip immersed in a beaker containing 7.44 x 10-2 M solution of NiCl2. Determine the balanced cell reaction and calculate the potential of the cell. Enter in volts. (assume a temperature of 25°C)

To determine the balanced cell reaction and calculate the potential of the cell, we can follow a few steps:

Step 1: Identify the half-reactions:
The silver-silver chloride electrode can be represented by the half-reaction: AgCl(s) + e- → Ag(s)
The nickel strip in the NiCl2 solution can be represented by the half-reaction: Ni2+(aq) + 2e- → Ni(s)

Step 2: Balance the half-reactions:
To balance the half-reactions, we need to ensure that the number of atoms and charges are equal on both sides.

Balancing the half-reaction for the silver-silver chloride electrode:
AgCl(s) + e- → Ag(s)
Since there is only one chlorine (Cl) atom on both sides, the presence of Ag in (AgCl) is balanced. Therefore, it is already balanced.

Balancing the half-reaction for the nickel electrode:
Ni2+(aq) + 2e- → Ni(s)
To balance the charge, we need to multiply the reduction half-reaction (right side) by 2:
2Ni2+(aq) + 4e- → 2Ni(s)

Step 3: Combine the half-reactions:
Since nickel is undergoing reduction, and silver-silver chloride is undergoing oxidation, we need to flip the silver-silver chloride half-reaction:
2Ag(s) → 2AgCl(s) + 2e-

Now, we can combine the two half-reactions to get the balanced cell reaction:
2Ag(s) + 2AgCl(s) + 2e- → 2AgCl(s) + 2e- + 2Ni(s)
Simplifying the equation, we get:
2Ag(s) + 2Ni2+(aq) → 2AgCl(s) + 2Ni(s)

Step 4: Calculate the potential of the cell:
The potential of the cell can be calculated using the Nernst equation:

Ecell = E°cell - (0.0592 V/n)logQ

Where:
Ecell is the cell potential,
E°cell is the standard cell potential,
n is the number of electrons transferred in the balanced cell reaction, and
Q is the reaction quotient.

To calculate Ecell, we need to know the standard cell potential (E°cell) for the given half-reactions at 25°C.