SJC/F4(2012-2013)/Chemistry/Chapter 30

1 Simple Chemical Cells

A. BASIC PRINCIPLE
A simple chemical cell can be set up by dipping two different metals in an electrolyte. The two
metals are connected by and external wire.

The simple chemical cell consists of two different metals — two electrodes. These are magnesium
and copper. They form a metal couple, represented by Mg/Cu.
Magnesium, being more reactive than copper, gives up electrons more readily than copper. Thus,
magnesium atoms give up electrons, and enter the electrolyte solution as Mg2+(aq) ions. Electrons flow
from magnesium to copper in the external circuit.
Since magnesium releases electrons, it is the negative electrode. Copper receives electrons, so it is
the positive electrode.

The change taking place at the magnesium electrode can be represented by the ionic half equation:
Mg(s)  Mg2+(aq) + 2e–
The change taking place at the copper electrode can be represented by the ionic half equation:
2H+(aq) + 2e–  H2(g)
Overall equation:
Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2e–  Mg2+(aq) + H2(g) + 2e–
i.e. Mg(s) + 2H+(aq)  Mg2+(aq) + H2 (g)
The voltage or electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the
cell is a measure of how strongly electrons are ‘pushed’
through the circuit. The voltage is expressed in volts (V).
To measure the voltage, the positive pole of the cell
is connected to the positive (red) terminal of the
voltmeter or multimeter, while the negative pole of the
cell is connected to the negative (black) terminal.
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2 #1. Given a lemon/potato, a copper strip, a magnesium ribbon, a voltmeter and connecting wires, draw a
labelled diagram to show the experimental setup a chemical cell to check the voltage of it.

Magnesium
strip

or

#2. Two potato cells connected in series can be used to power an LCD clock. Determine the positive
electrodes and negative electrodes.

B. ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES
To compare the tendency of different metals to
lose electrons, we can use copper as the reference
electrode to set up various cells. Each of the cells
consists of copper coupled with another metal.
Copper is connected to the positive terminal of
the voltmeter, and the other metal to the negative
terminal.
Metal couple in cell Voltage of cell (volts) Direction of e- flow in the external circuit
Magnesium/copper (Mg/Cu) +1.84 from magnesium to copper
Zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) +0.92 from zinc to copper
Iron/copper (Fe/Cu) +0.49 from iron to copper
Copper/copper (Cu/Cu) 0.00
Silver/copper (Ag/Cu) −0.17 from copper to silver
The sign of the voltage indicates the polarity of the reference copper electrode. Voltages of the
Mg/Cu, Zn/Cu and Fe/Cu cells have a positive sign. The voltage of the Ag/Cu cell has a negative sign.
This suggests that copper is the negative electrode.
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3 This order is the same as the order of the tendencies of the metals to lose electrons (and to form
cations) in an aqueous solution. An arrangement of the tendencies of the metals to lose electrons in an
aqueous solution is called the Electrochemical Series (E.C.S.) of metals.
For a simple chemical cell consisting of two metals and an electrolyte, the further apart the two
metals are in the E.C.S, the higher is the voltage of the cell.

#1. The diagram on the right shows a simple chemical cell made by
inserting zinc and copper strips into a lemon.
(a) Name instrument X which is used to measure the voltage of
the chemical cell.
Voltmeter
(b) What is the direction of electron flow in the external circuit?
From the zinc strip to the copper strip
(c) Write an ionic half-equation for the process that occurs at the
zinc strip.
Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
(d) The zinc strip is now replaced by a magnesium strip.
What would happen to the voltage of the cell? Explain your answer.
The voltage of the cell would increase. Magnesium and copper are farther apart in the
electrochemical series than zinc and copper are. Therefore the voltage of the Mg/Cu lemon cell
is higher than that of the Zn/Cu cell.
(e) The lemon is now replaced by a beaker of sugar solution.
What would happen to the voltage of the cell? Explain your answer.
The voltage of the cell becomes zero. This is because sugar solution contains no mobile ion and
thus does not allow ionic conduction between the two electrodes.

#2. A current flows through the external circuit of the chemical cell
shown on the right.
(a) Decide which electrode is the negative electrode of the cell.
Copper rod
(b) What is the direction of electron flow in the external circuit?
From copper rod to silver rod
(c) Write an ionic half-equation for the process that occurs at
(i) the copper rod; and
Cu(s)  Cu2+(aq) + 2e–
(ii) the silver rod.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e–  Cu(s)
(d) What would happen to the mass of the copper rod?
The mass of the copper rod decreases.
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4 #3. Consider the chemical cell shown on the right.

(a) Decide which metal, X or zinc, is at a higher position in the electrochemical series. Explain
your answer.

Metal X is higher than zinc in the electrochemical series. Atoms of metal X lose electrons more
readily than zinc atoms. Hence electrons flow from the electrode made of metal X to the zinc
electrode in the external circuit.
b) What would happen to the mass of the electrode made of X?
The mass of the electrode made of metal X decreases.
c) The zinc strip is now replaced by an iron strip. What would happen to the voltage of the cell?
Explain your answer.
The voltage of the cell would increase.
The farther apart the two metals are in the electrochemical series, the higher the voltage of the
cell. The position of iron in the electrochemical series is lower than that of zinc. Hence metal X
and iron are farther apart in the electrochemical series than metal X and zinc are. Thus the
voltage of the cell would increase.
d) The sodium chloride solution is now replaced by ethanol. What would happen to the voltage of
the cell? Explain your answer.
The voltage of the cell would fall to zero. Ethanol does not conduct electricity

D. IMPROVING THE CHEMICAL CELLS

Magnesium can undergo direct reaction with the electrolyte (e.g. sulphuric acid). Besides, formation
of hydrogen bubbles on the surface of magnesium and copper electrodes increases the resistance of the
cell.

To improve the cell, we can construct a simple chemical cell, with metal electrodes dipped in
solutions of their own ions, forming 2 metal/metal ion half-cells.
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A cell made of two half-cells with a salt bridge connecting them.

The salt bridge joins the two metal/metal ion half-cells. It is a strip of filter paper soaked in an
electrolyte. The electrolyte can be a solution of any ionic compound that does not react with the
substances of the cell. Since the zinc and the copper(II) sulphate solution are now separated into two half-
cells, they cannot react directly.
Zinc electrode: Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e–
Copper electrode: Cu2+(aq) + 2e–  Cu(s)
Overall equation: Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
The salt bridge allows ions to move from one half-cell to the other.
In the left beaker: excess zinc ions move into the salt bridge or chloride ions move out of the salt
bridge.
In the right beaker: excess sulphate ions move into the salt bridge or sodium ions move out of the
salt bridge.
The salt bridge serves two main functions:
 Completes the circuit
 Balances the charges

#1. According to the following diagrams

(a) Describe TWO functions of the salt bridge.

 It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move from one half-cell to the other.
 It provides ions that can move into the half-cells to prevent the build-up of excess
positively or negatively charged ions in the solutions which would cause the reaction to
stop.
(b) Write the overall equation of the chemical cell.
Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Cu(s) + Mg2+(aq)
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6 #2. The diagram below shows a chemical cell connected to a voltmeter.

In the set-up, electrons flowed in such a direction that the concentration of Cu2+(aq) ions in each
half-cell became the same eventually.
(a) What was the direction of electron flow in the external circuit?
From electrode X to electrode Y
(b) Write an ionic half-equation for the process that occurred at
(i) copper electrode X; and
Cu(s)  Cu2+(aq) + 2e-
(ii) copper electrode Y.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e-  Cu(s)
(c) What would happen to the mass of copper electrode X?
The mass of copper electrode X would decrease.

#3. X and Y are different metals. A student studied the reactivity of X , Y and iron by setting up two
electrochemical cells, A and B, as shown below:
chemical cell A: chemical cell B:

The results of the experiment are shown below:

Chemical cell Direction of electron flow in the external circuit
A Y to iron
B X to Y
(a) What is P and what are its functions?
P is a salt bridge.
 It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move from one half-cell to the other.
 It provides ions that can move into the half-cells to prevent the build-up of excess
positively or negatively charged ions in the solutions which cause the reaction to stop.
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7 (b) Arrange X, Y and iron in order of increasing reactivity. Explain your answer.
Order of increasing reactivity of the metals: Fe < Y < X
In chemical cell A, electrons flow from Y to iron in the external circuit. It can be deduced that Y
forms ions more readily than iron. In chemical cell B, electrons flow from X to Y in the external
circuit. It can be deduced that X forms ions more readily than Y.
To summarize, X forms ions most readily while iron forms ions least readily. Hence the order of
increasing reactivity of the three metals is Fe < Y < X.
(c) What would be observed when a piece of iron is immersed in a dilute solution of salt of X?
Explain your answer.
No observable change.
X is more reactive than iron. NO displacement reaction would occur.

C. STANDARD HYDROGEN ELECTRODE

By international agreement, the
standard hydrogen electrode has been
selected as the reference electrode for
comparing the relative electrode potentials.
It is arbitrarily assigned a zero potential,
and the potential of all other systems are
referred to this value. In this way a
convenient, relative scale of electrode
potential is established for different systems
so that their tendency to release electrons can
be compared with one another.

Electrochemical Series Metal reactivity series Electrochemical Series Metal reactivity series
Potassium Potassium Zinc Zinc
Calcium Sodium Iron Iron
Sodium Calcium Lead Lead
Magnesium Magnesium Copper Copper
Aluminium Aluminium Silver Silver

#1. State one difference in the order of metals between the Electrochemical Series and the metal
reactivity series. Explain briefly.
Calcium is higher than sodium in the Electrochemical Series. In the metal reactivity series, however,
calcium is lower than sodium. This is due to the use of different experimental conditions when
establishing the two series. The E.C.S. is based on voltage measurements. The metal reactivity series
is based on vigour of chemical reactions.
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8
E. DANIELL CELL
A Daniell cell consists of a copper/copper(II) sulphate
half-cell and zinc/zinc sulphate half-cell.
The half-cells are separated by a porous pot. The porous pot
serves two functions:
 It separates the two solutions and prevents the zinc strip
and copper(II) sulphate solution from direct reaction.
 It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move between
the two solutions through its small holes.
Zinc electrode: Zn(s)  Zn2+(aq) + 2e–
Copper electrode: Cu2+(aq) + 2e–  Cu(s)
Overall equation:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
The e.m.f. of the Daniell cell is 1.1 V.
When the cell operates, more and more Zn2+(aq)
ions are formed inside the porous pot, the solution
tends to have a surplus of positive charges. Outside
the porous pot, there are more and more Cu2+(aq)
ions gain electrons to form Cu(s), the solution tends
to have a surplus of negative charges.
Hence, surplus Zn2+(aq) ions move out of the porous pot and surplus SO42-(aq) ions move into the
porous pot.

#1. The diagram below shows a sodium-nickel(II) chloride

cell connected to an external circuit. The cell operates
at a high temperature of about 300oC. The melting
point of sodium is 98oC while that of nickel(II)
chloride is 1 001oC.
(a) State and explain the direction of electron flow in
the external circuit when the cell discharges.
From inert electrode B to inert electrode A as sodium atoms give up electrons during discharge.
(b) Write an ionic half-equation for the process that occurs at the sodium electrode.
Na(l)  Na+(l) + e–
(c) Suggest why it is necessary for the cell to operate at a high temperature.
To keep the sodium in molten state.
(d) Manufacturers suggest that sodium-nickel(II) chloride cells can be used to power cars. Give
ONE advantage of this use.
These cars have zero emission of exhaust gas.

ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2010) — A redesign of sodium-nickel chloride batteries promises to overcome
some of the obstacles long associated with rechargeable batteries. Replacing their typical cylindrical
shape with a flat disc design allows the battery to deliver 30 percent more power at lower temperatures,
according to work published by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the
October 8 issue of ECS Transactions, a trade journal.
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9 Summary Exercises:
1. Consider the following simple chemical cell:
Which of the following metal couples makes the
bulb the brightest?
Metal X Metal Y
A. Magnesium zinc
B. Magnesium copper
C. Iron zinc
D. Copper iron

2. In the set-up shown below, metal X forms ions more

readily than metal Y.
Which of the following statements concerning the
set-up is correct?
A. Electrons flow from metal Y to metal X in the
external circuit.
B. The mass of metal X increases.
C. The lemon can be replaced by an orange.
D. Electrical energy is changed into chemical energy.

3. Consider the set-up shown below.

Which of the following statements concerning
the set-up is correct?
A. Zinc deposits on the zinc plate.
B. The copper plate starts to dissolve.
C. Electrons flow from the zinc plate to the
copper plate in the external circuit.
D. Sulphate ions move through the salt bridge
from the zinc sulphate solution to the
copper(II) sulphate solution.

4. Consider the set-up shown below.

Which of the following combinations is correct?
Electrons flow towards Anions move towards
A. silver silver
B. silver zinc
C. zinc silver
D. zinc zinc
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10 5. Consider the following chemical cell:

NO current will flow through the conducting wires if
A. the copper electrode is replaced by a magnesium
electrode.
B. the copper(II) sulphate solution is replaced by
potassium nitrate solution.
C. the copper(II) sulphate solution is replaced by
copper(II) nitrate solution.
D. the porous pot is replaced by a glass cylinder.

6. Consider the set-up shown below:

Electrons flow from X to Y in the external circuit. Which of the following combinations is correct?

X Y Z
A. Carbon silver silver nitrate solution
B. Zinc magnesium magnesium sulphate solution
C. Carbon carbon copper(II) sulphate solution
D. Zinc carbon silver nitrate solution

7. Consider the chemical cell shown below:

Which of the following statements concerning
the cell is / are correct?
(1) The concentration of magnesium ions in
beaker X increases.
(2) The mass of the lead electrode remains
unchanged.
(3) The salt bridge allows electrons to flow
from beaker X to beaker Y.
A. (1) only B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only D. (2) and (3) only
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11 8. Suppose you need to build a simple chemical cell using the apparatus and chemicals shown below.

(a) Draw a diagram of your cell. Label the positive and negative electrodes.

(b) Write an ionic equation to represent the overall cell reaction.

Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq)  Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s)
(c) It is observed that the voltage of the cell falls quite quickly. Explain this observation.
There is a direct transfer of electrons from the magnesium electrode to the copper(ll) ions in the
solution. As a result, fewer and fewer electrons flow along the conducting wires. The voltage of
the cell falls quite quickly.

9. A chemical cell which consists of a magnesium strip and a strip made of X immersed in magnesium
sulphate solution and a solution of sulphate of X respectively is shown below:
The position of metal X in the
electrochemical series is shown below:
Mg2+(aq) + 2- ⇌ Mg(s)
Fe2+(aq) + 2e- ⇌ Fe(s)
X2+(aq) + 2e- ⇌ X(s)
Pb2+(aq) + 2e- ⇌ Pb(s)
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- ⇌ Cu(s)
(a) Write an ionic equation to show
the overall cell reaction.
Mg(s) + X2+(aq)  Mg2+(aq) + X(s)
(b) What is the direction of electron flow in the external circuit?
From the magnesium strip to the strip made of X.
(c) The magnesium strip and magnesium sulphate solution are now replaced by a copper strip and
copper(II) sulphate solution.
(i) What would be the direction of electron flow in the external circuit now?
Direction of electron flow is opposite to that in (b).
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12 (ii) Write an ionic equation to represent the overall cell reaction.

X(s) + Cu2+(aq)  X2+(aq) + Cu(s)
(d) (i) Suggest how the salt bridge can be prepared.
Soak a piece of filter paper with an ionic salt solution such as saturated potassium nitrate
solution.
(ii) State TWO functions of the salt bridge.
 It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move from one half-cell to the other.
 It provides ions that can move into the half-cells to prevent the build-up of excess
positively or negatively charged ions in the solutions which would cause the reaction
to stop.

10. A student wanted to show that chemicals can be used to produce an electric current using the
following set-up.

When the crocodile clips were attached to certain parts of the set-up, the ammeter gave a reading.
(a) Show in the diagram where the crocodile clips should have been attached.

(b) Identify the direction of electron flow in the external circuit.

Electrons flow from the zinc rod to the copper can in the external circuit.
(c) What would happen when the porous cardboard container was replaced by a glass beaker?
Explain your answer.
No current would flow through the conducting wires. This was because the glass beaker would
not allow ions to move between the two solutions.
(d) What would happen to the reading on the ammeter if the zinc rod and zinc chloride solution
were replaced by iron rod and iron(II) chloride solution respectively?
The reading on the ammeter would decrease.
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13 11. X, Y and Z are different metals. A student studied the tendency of X, Y, Z and nickel (Ni) to form
ions by setting up three chemical cells using the following materials and apparatus.

The results of the experiment are tabulated below.

Chemical cell Direction of electron flow in the external circuit
formed by connecting half-cells A and B X to Ni
formed by connecting half-cells A and C Ni to Y
formed by connecting half-cells B and D Z to X
(a) Explain the use of the filter paper strips in the experiment.
As a salt bridge.
(b) The student had to use an additional instrument to determine the direction of electron flow in
the external circuit. Suggest a suitable instrument.
digital multimeter / voltmeter
(c) Draw a labelled diagram to show the set-up for the experiment, using half-cells A and B.

(d) Arrange X, Y, Z and nickel in the order of increasing tendency to form ions. Explain your
answer.
Y < Ni < X < Z
In the cell formed by connecting half-cells A and C, electrons flow from nickel to Y in the
external circuit. It can be deduced that nickel forms ions more readily than Y.
In the cell formed by connecting half-cells A and B, electrons flow from X to nickel in the
external circuit. It can be deduced that X forms ions more readily than nickel.
In the cell formed by connecting half-cells B and D, electrons flow from Z to X in the external
circuit. It can be deduced that Z forms ions more readily than X.
To summarize, Z forms ions most readily while Y forms ions least readily.
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14 (e) What would be observed when a piece of nickel foil is immersed in a solution containing X2+
ions? Explain your answer.
There would be no observable change.
X forms ions more readily than nickel and thus X is more reactive than nickel.
Hence, no displacement reaction would take place.

12. A chemical cell can be made from two metal strips and a lemon. Given the following materials and
equipment, outline how you can set up a chemical cell with the maximum output voltage.
a zinc strip, a copper strip, a magnesium strip,
a lemon, a multimeter and several connecting wire
(You should include variables that need to be controlled.)
Insert two of the metal strips into the lemon to form a chemical cell.
Measure the voltage of the cell using the multimeter.
Complete the electric circuit.
Control variables in the experiment such as:
 The size of the strips
 The separation / position between strips should be the same in each trial
 The temperature
The highest voltage can be obtained using a magnesium strip and a copper strip. (It is because
among the three metals, Mg occupies the highest position in the E.C.S. and Cu the lowest position.)
Adjust the distance / position between the two metal strips until the maximum output voltage is
obtained.
(CE05, 6 marks)