Experiment No.

Galvanic Cells and Nernst Equation

Name: De Juan, Jarell P

Couse and Section: CM011L-E01

INTRODUCTION

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons from one reactant to another are called
oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions. In a redox reaction, two half-reactions occur;
one reactant gives up electrons undergoes oxidation and another reactant gains electrons that
undergoes reduction.
In this experiment, a galvanic cell, also known as voltaic cell, was to measure the relative
reduction potentials in a number of redox couples, to understand the movement of
electrons, anions, and cations in a galvanic cell, and to study the factors affecting cell potentials.

The objectives of the Experiment are:

 Determine how Galvanic Cells work or behave
 Determining the voltage that runs between solution
 Determine the Nernst equation

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

Chemicals

Part A.
The chemicals used in this part are Lead Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate, Copper Nitrate, Zinc
Nitrate, Iron Chloride

Part B.
The chemicals used in this part are Zinc (Zn2+) and Copper (Cu2+)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Part A.

Solution Voltmeter Readings

Zinc and Copper 0.92 V
Copper and Lead 0.48 V
Copper and Iron 0.47 V
Zinc and Lead 0.43 V
 Zinc and Iron 0.44 V
Part B. Nernst Equation

Oxidation :Zn ° → Zn+2 +2 e−¿+.76 V ¿

+2 −¿→ Cu°+.34 V ¿
Reduction:Cu +2 e
Resulting Reaction:Cu+2 ( aq ) + Zn° ( s ) →Cu ° ( s ) + Zn+2 ( aq )
Calculations

E ° cell=1.10V
RT [ Zn+2] ¿ 1.10 V − RT lnQ
Ecell =1.10 V − ln ¿ gets smaller< 1.10V =1.10 V −[larger no .]
nF ¿¿ nF

Concentration Cell:

Anode: Zn ° ( s ) → Zn+2 ( aq ) +2 e−¿+0.76 V ¿

Cathode : Zn+2+ 2e−¿ →Zn ° (s )−0.76 V ¿ Resulting Reaction: Zn +Zn ° ( s ) → Zn ° +Zn E ° cell=0
+2 +2

Voltmeter Reading: 0.15 V (spontaneous reaction working to equilibrium)

RT [Zn+2 ]
Ecell =E ° cell− ln ¿−[ smaller negative number ] −¿
nF [Zn+2 ]

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, in a galvanic cell, redox reaction occurs spontaneously just like the all portable
batteries. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, left to right in the standard galvanic cell
in the figure. One of the factors that cell potentials is its concentration. From this experiment, as
the reaction progresses, the concentration of Cu2+ will increase in the left (oxidation)
compartment as the Cu electrode dissolves, while the Cu concentration in the right(reduction)
compartment decreases as the electrode in that compartment gains mass.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This experiment was made possible by the following (YouTube channels):

 MrGrodskiChemistry
 TylerDewitt
 Anne Schmidt
 Vackerman123
 North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
 And to
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Hsu, C. H. and Li, M. H. (1997). Densities of Aqueous Blended Amines. J. Chem. Eng. Data,
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