ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PART 1: GALVANIC CELL
HLUVUKA HIGH SCHOOL
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Lesson prepared by
D.T BALOYI
D.T BALOYI
Galvanic/Voltaic Cell
Galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell that convert chemical to electrical energy.
Galvanic cell is an EXOTHERMIC reaction; meaning electrical energy is produced
from the electrochemical reaction.
A galvanic cell is self-sustainable cell (Spontaneous).
In galvanic cell, a positive (+) electrode is a cathode (where reduction occurs)
while a negative (– ) electrode is an anode (where oxidation occurs).
It consists of two (2) containers / beakers.
Electrons flow from anode (– ) to cathode (+) in the wire while the cell is
functioning.
Cations (positively charged ions) move from the anode via the salt bridge to
the cathode and vice versa.
Electrodes in galvanic cell always consist of different metals or gases.
Galvanic/Voltaic Cell
cont.
The Set up of Galvanic Cell (Zn – Cu cell)
Voltmeter
Zn (s) plate V
e– Cu (s)
e– Salt plate
1,1 V bridge
KNO3
– +
Cotton
wool
SO42–
CuSO
4
Zn2+
Cu2+ SO42– Cu2+
ZnSO
4
Observations &
Discussion
2+
ANODE (Zn / Zn ) Half – cell 2+
CATHODE (Cu /Cu) Half – cell
2+
Zn undergoes oxidation, loses electrons Cu undergo reduction, gain electrons.
Mass of zinc plate decreases. Mass of copper plate increases.
[Zn2+(aq)] increases, hence zinc ions will [Cu2+(aq)] decreases, hence sulphate
move via the salt bridge to the cathode ions will move via the salt bridge to the
according Le Chatelier `s principle. anode according Le Chatelier `s principle.
The cell notation for this cell is:
Zn (s) │ Zn2+(aq)(1 mol.dm –3)││ Cu2+(aq)(1 mol.dm –3) │Cu(s)
Observations & Discussion
After some time the voltmeter willcont.
read 0 V, the cell reaction is said to have reached
equilibrium; meaning the rate of oxidation is equals to the rate of reduction. Cell is flat
If the concentration of an electrolyte in cathode half-cell is increased, also the cell
potential (emf of the cell) will increase and vice versa.
Gas electrode
A gas is an
insulator i.e. Platinum
it cannot acts as a
conduct conductor,
electricity Gas gas absorber
{H2(g)} and a
catalyst
When writing a cell notation for a
gas electrode:
X(s)│X+ (aq)││H2+(aq)
│H2(g)│Pt(s)
Platinum [Pt(s)]
OR
Pt(s)│H2(g)│H2+(aq) ││
*** THE END ***
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