ENGG CHEM_Matoy Russell

Activity #5

1. The current in a wire is carried by moving electrons. What carries the current
through the solution in an electrochemical cell?

The ions in the solution and those in the salt bridge carry the current
through the solution in an electrochemical cell.

2. What is the function of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell? What would

happen if the salt bridge were removed?

Without the salt bridge, the solution in the anode compartment would
become positively charged and the solution in the cathode compartment would
become negatively charged,because of the charge imbalance,the electrode
reaction would quickly come to a halt,therefore It helps to maintain the flow of
electrons from the oxidation half cell to a reduction half cell.

3. What is the difference between an electrochemical cell and an electrolytic

cell?
A Electrochemical cell or also known as Galvanic cell converts electric
energy into chemical energy. In Electrochemical cell or Galvanic cell anode is
negative and cathode is positive electrode. Here the redox reaction is
spontaneous and responsible for the production of electrical energy . The
reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction. The
electrons are supplied by the species getting oxidized. They move from anode
to the cathode. While Electrolytic cell converts electrical energy into chemical
energy and the redox reaction is not spontaneous, Electrical energy has to be
supplied to initiate the reaction. Here the anode is positive and cathode is the
negative electrode. The external battery supplied the electrons. They enter
through the cathode and come out through anode