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 ***

THANK YOU