Electrochemical Cell: An electrolytic cell uses electrical energy to facilitate chemical reactions.

They
convert electrical energy to chemical energy. There are two types of electrochemical cell. They are
Galvanic cell or Voltaic cell and Electrolytic cell. Voltaic cells or Galvanic cells which is an example of
electrochemical cell convert Chemical energy to Electrical energy, Electrolytic cells convert Electrical
energy to Chemical energy.

Now that students know what is electrochemical cell, they should also be able to define electrochemical
cells. This article will clarify this conceptual understanding among students. By the end of the article,
they will be able to understand the difference between electrolytic cell and electrochemical cell. They
will also be able to know about different electrochemical cell examples.

What is Electrochemical Cell?

An electrochemical cell is an apparatus or device that produces electric current from chemical change
and energy released by this spontaneous redox reaction. Electrons are transferred from one chemical
species to another; thus, an electric current is produced. Electrochemical cells convert chemical energy
into electrical energy and vice versa.

An electrochemical cell is comprised of two half-cells. Each of them consists of an electrode and an
electrolyte that can be the same or different in the two half cells. The main components of an
electrochemical cell are:

Electrodes – The solid electrical conductor composed of good conductors such as metals in an
electrochemical cell are known as electrodes. They are of two types:

a. The Anode – The cell compartment where oxidation takes place.

b. The Cathode – The cell compartment where reduction takes place.

Electrolyte – An electrolyte is a compound contained in between the electrodes that produce freely
moving ions resulting in an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in polar solvents, such as
water.

Salt Bridge – This connects the oxidation half and reduction half of an electrochemical cell and
completes the electrochemical circuit. It is filled with saturated salt solutions like KCl

. The bridge allows the ions in the solution to move from one half-cell to another, which is vital for the
reaction to continue. A filter paper dipped in Potassium Nitrate or Sodium Chloride solution can act as an
example of salt bridge.

Electrochemical Cell Example

Electrochemical cells are used for various purposes in our daily life. Some examples of these cells or
batteries are:

One of the most common examples of an electrochemical cell (galvanic cell) used in our daily life is a
1.5V cell.

Disposable AA batteries are used in a torch and remote controls.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide range of tools such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), solar
power storage systems, and most of our electronic gadgets such as earphones, mobile phones, tablets,
laptops, and cordless power tools.

Types of Electrochemical Cell

Electrochemical cells are primarily of two types:

Galvanic cell or voltaic cell

Electrolytic cell

An electrochemical cell is a general term used for both galvanic or voltaic cells and electrolytic cells. Still,
as the name signifies, electrochemical cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy and vice-versa.
In comparison, electrolytic cells convert electrical energy into chemical energy by electrolysis.

An electrochemical cell can behave like an electrolytic cell when a potential difference that is greater
than the potential difference of an electrochemical cell is applied. In this condition, the electric current
begins to flow in the opposite direction; similarly, as in an electrolytic cell, the non-spontaneous reaction
takes place.

Electrochemical Cell Reaction

A cell reaction describes the overall chemical change in an electrochemical cell. A cell reaction is
facilitated by electrolytic cells, which are a class of electrochemical cells using electric currents. While
writing the cell reaction corresponding to a cell diagram, the right-hand side half-reaction of the cell is
written as reduction, and the left-hand side half-reaction is written as oxidation.