Aim

To study electrochemical principles on any electrochemical cell.

Introduction
Electro Chemical Cell

Whenever a redox reaction is allowed to take place directly in a single beaker, it is

Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)

Similar results are observed when a rod of copper is placed in silver solution. The
reaction taking place as follows:

Cu(s) + 2 AgNO3 CuNO3 + 2Ag

Thus, we conclude that whenever a redox takes place directly in a single beaker,
chemical energy in the form of heat is produced. By suitable means it is possible to
bring out the redox reaction indirectly so as to convert the chemical energy into the
electrical energy.

Representation of an Electrochemical Cell

An electrochemical cell is represented in a manner as illustrated below.

Zn / Zn2+ || Cu2+ / Cu

i.e. by convention, the electrode on which oxidation takes place is written on the left-
hand side and the other electrode on which reduction takes place is written on the right-
hand side. The electrode of the left-hand side is written by writing the symbol of the
metal first followed by the symbol of the ion with its concentration in brackets. The
electrode on the right-hand side is written by first writing the ion along with its
concentration in brackets followed by the symbol of the metal.

Experimental Setup
A zinc rod is placed in the zinc sulphate solution taken in a beaker. A copper rod is
placed in the copper sulphate solution taken in another beaker. The two rods are
connected by a wire and two solutions are connected by a salt bridge.
Salt Bridge and Its Function
A salt-bridge is a U-shaped tube containing concentrated solution of an inert electrolyte like
KCl, KNO3, K2SO4 etc. An inert electrolyte is one whose ions do not take part in the redox
reaction and also do not react with electrolyte used. The function of the salt bridge is to
allow the movement of the ions from one solution to the other without mixing of the two
solutions. Thus, whereas the electrons flow in the outer circuit in the wire, the inner circuit
is completed by the flow of ions from one solution to the other through the salt bridge
moreover, it helps to maintain the electrical neutrality of the solution of the two half cells.
Thus, the main functions of the salt bridge are:

(i) To complete the electrical circuit by allowing the ions to flow form one solution to the
other without mixing of the two solutions.

(ii) To maintain the electrical neutrality of the solutions in the two half cells.
Let us see what would happen if the salt bridge were not used in the cells shown in the
above diagram. Electrons are given out by the zinc electrode where they will neutralize
some of the Cu2+ ions of the solution. Thus SO42- ions will not leave and the solution
will acquire a negative charge. At the same time, Zn2+ ions produced from zinc plate
will enter into ZnSO4 solution. After some time, the flow of electrons will stop and
hence the current stops flowing.

Standard EMF of an Electrochemical Cell

(i) Oxidation half reaction

(ii) Reduction half reaction

Standard EMF of the cell:

Where,

Ecell= Electrode Potential of the cell

Eanode = Electrode Potential of the oxidation half reaction

According to Nernst Equation, the relation between concentration of electrode and the
standard electrode potential can be given as:

circuit and Where,

E = Electrode Potential at non-standard conditions

E˚ = Electrode Potential at standard conditions

n = Number of electrons transferred in the equation

[M] = concentration of the metal

[M¬n+] = concentration of metal ion

Some Important Features

Above cell may be summed up as follows:-

i) The electrode at which oxidation takes place is called the anode. The electrode at
which the reduction takes place is called the cathode.

ii) Since electrons are produced at the zinc electrodes, this electrode is rich in electrons,
which pushes the electrons into the external hence it is designated as the negative pole.
The other electrode, i.e., the copper electrode is in the need of electrons for the
reduction of Cu2+ ions into the Cu, i.e., this electrode is deficient in electrons and pulls
the electrons from the external circuit, therefore it acts as the positive pole.

iii) The electrons flow from the negative pole to the positive pole in the external circuit.
However, conventionally, this current is set to flow in the opposite direction.
iv) The oxidation of Zn into ions produces excess of Zn2+ ions in the left beaker. This
creates an unbalanced positive charge in the solution. To maintain electrical neutrality
of the solution in the two beakers, the cations and anions move through the salt bridge.

v) As copper from copper sulphate solution is deposited on the copper electrode and
sulphate ions migrate to the other side, the concentration of the copper sulphate solution
decreases. As the cell operates consequently, the current falls.

vi) Evidently, the weight of the copper rod will increase while that of zinc rod will
decrease as the cell works.

Procedure:
1. Take two clean beakers.

2. In one beaker take 0.5 M copper sulphatesolution and in the other take 0.5 M zinc
sulphate solution.

3. Take a copper strip and clean it using a sand paper.

4. Dip the copper strip into the beaker containing the 1 M copper sulphate solution.
5. Similarly, take a zinc strip and clean it using a sand paper.
6. Then dip it into the beaker containing 1 M zinc sulphate solution.
7. Take a salt bridge and connect the two solutions using the salt bridge.
8. Take a voltmeter and connect the copper strip to the positive terminal and the zinc
strip to the negative terminal using connecting wires.
9. Note the position of the pointer in the voltmeter and record the reading.
10. Repeat the experiment by taking different concentrations of zinc sulphate and copper
sulphate solutions.

Observations
Experimental Setup

Conclusion
With these observations, we conclude that EMF of the cell increases with decrease in the
concentration of the electrolyte around the anode and with increase in the concentration
of the electrolyte around the cathode.
References:
1. Chemistry Part-I, Textbook for class XII
2. http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Di-Fa/Electrochemistry.html