Question 1.
In order to measure the energy to separate one electron from an atom, you have to eliminate all the other variables that could influence the energy of the original neutral atom and the ions that are produced. That means there can't be any solvents, or any metallic bonds, or or any chemical bonds of any sort. That means the starting point has to be an isolated atom, which is another way of saying it must a gas. The ions also have to be isolated, so they are gas as well.
Does that make sense?
Question 2.
I note that you have filled the right-hand cell with ferric nitrate. There are two possible reduction reactions at the cathode. The first is reduction of ferric (Fe III) ion to ferrous (Fe II) ion and then when most of the Fe(III) ions are gone you will get reduction of Fe(II) to Fe(s).
Do you think you can write the cathode half-equation now?