Scribd
Upload
21 views2 pages

Electrochemistry (CURRENT) - STDT1

This document provides an overview of electrochemistry including definitions of half-cells, electrode potentials, and galvanic cells. It describes how metals can either gain or lose electrons at electrodes depending on their reactivity and how this leads to different electrode potentials. The Daniell cell is used as an example of a galvanic cell where zinc undergoes oxidation and copper undergoes reduction.

Uploaded by

Nkemzi Elias Nzetengenle
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
21 views2 pages

Electrochemistry (CURRENT) - STDT1

This document provides an overview of electrochemistry including definitions of half-cells, electrode potentials, and galvanic cells. It describes how metals can either gain or lose electrons at electrodes depending on their reactivity and how this leads to different electrode potentials. The Daniell cell is used as an example of a galvanic cell where zinc undergoes oxidation and copper undergoes reduction.

Uploaded by

Nkemzi Elias Nzetengenle
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Page 1 of 2

Electrochemistry

(i) There is a tendency for the metal atoms (M(s)) to lose electrons
Zn rod
and go into solution as positive ions. M(s) ⇌ Mn+(aq) + né. The
metal rod then acquires a negative charge due to a build up of
+ + electrons on the metal rod surface, thus the electrode has a
+ + Zn2+(aq)
+ + negative potential. This is a characteristic of reactive metals e.g
+ +
+ + Na, Ca, Zn etc.
+ ++ + +

Zn(s) ⇌ Zn2+(aq) + 2é

(ii) There is also a tendency for the metal ions in solution (Mn+(aq))
Cu rod
to gain electrons and become deposited on the rod as metal
atoms. Mn+(aq) + né ⇌ M(s). The metal rod surface then
+ +
+ + Cu2+(aq) acquires a build up positive charge as metallic ions from
+ + solution used up delocalized electrons to form metal atoms,
+ +
++ + thus the electrode has a positive potential. This is a
characteristic of less reactive metals e.g Ag, Cu, Au etc.
Cu2+(aq) + 2é ⇌ Cu(s)
The potential difference (voltage) set up between a metal rod and its ions in solution. This
potential difference is called electrode potential and depends on the metal and the concentration
of the ions in solution. A metal dipped into a solution of its ions makes up a half-cell or an
electrode.
Definition: A half-cell is one of the two electrodes of an electrochemical cell where reduction or
oxidation occurs.
There are other types of half-cell where a solid metal conductor is absent. For such half-cells, a
inert electrode is required. This inert (unreactive) electrode is usually platinum.
10.2 Electrochemical Cells (galvanic or voltaic cell)
An electrochemical cell consists of two electrodes (half-cells). By convention, the left hand side
electrode (anode) is the half-cell with more negative (less positive) electrode potential while the
right hand side electrode (cathode) is the half-cell with more positive (less negative) electrode
potential. In a galvanic cell, a spontaneous reaction generates electrical energy.
The Daniell cell:
The Daniell cell is made up of a zinc half-cell connected to a copper half-cell using an external
wire and a salt bridge.
High resistance The electrons releases zinc atoms in the zinc rod
Electrons voltmeter External migrate through the external wire to the copper rod.
wire
flow V The flow of electron generate an electric current. The
Zn rod Cu rod concentration of Zn2+ ions in solution increases as zinc
atoms release electrons and go into solution as ions.
The concentration of Cu2+ ions in solution decreases as
Zn2+(aq) Cu2+(aq) copper ions gain electrons and deposit on the copper
rod as neutral atoms. The flow of the electrons in the
above circuit is short-live because the circuit is incomplete and charge build up cannot be
neutralised.
High resistance
Electrons voltmeter External
flow wire
V
Zn rod Cu rod
To prolong the flow of electrons, a salt bridge
Salt bridge
is used to complete circuit in addition to the
external wire.
ZnSO4(aq) CuSO4(aq)

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ⇌ Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2019-2020 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N
Page 2 of 2
Electrochemistry

Characteristic features of a galvanic cell:


- Electrons flow through the external wire from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive
electrode (cathode)
- Cations flow from the salt bridge or through the porous partition to the positive electrode and
anions into the negative electrode
- Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction cathode.
Electrodes potential
Elements differ in their readiness to release or accept electrons. The ability of a metal to readily
release or accept electrons is determined by its redox (electrode) potential.
Definition: An electrode potential is the potential set up when a metal is in contact with a
solution of its ions.

It is not possible to measure the potential of a couple (electrode or half-cell) directly on its own.
This because oxidation or reduction does not occur on its own. Oxidation and reduction always
occur simultaneously. It is only possible to measure the potential difference between two
electrodes. Thus electrode potentials are measured by comparing them to a standard or reference
electrode called the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). By convention, the SHE is usually
placed on the left when measuring electrode potentials. The SHE is called a primary standard
because other electrode potentials are compared to its potential (0.00V).

The Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE)

Platinum electrode The standard hydrogen


H2 gas at 1 atm coated with finely
and 25°C (298K) electrode consists of hydrogen
divided platinum black
gas at a pressure of 1 atm and
Platinum temperature of 25°C (298K)
1 moldm-3 H+(aq) ions
at 25°C (298K) bubbling over a platinum
Hole for of H2 electrode coated with platinum
gas to escape Escaping bubbles
of H2 gas black immersed in an acidic
solution with hydrogen ions
(H+(aq)) concentration of 1.0 moldm-3. The equilibrium established on the surface of platinum
in the standard hydrogen electrode is ½H2(s) ⇌ H+(aq) + é.
Functions of platinised platinum electrode
- it acts as an inert metal connection to the ½H2/H+(aq) system and does not corrode easily.
- its allows hydrogen gas to adsorb onto its surface in order to improve reaction kinetics.
- the finely divided platinum black catalyses the setting up of the equilibrium ½H2(s) ⇌ H+(aq) + é by
increasing the surface area for adsorption of H2(g).
Although the potential set up in the ½H2/H+(aq) system is not completely zero, it is arbitrary
assigned a value of zero i.e ½H2(s) ⇌ H+(aq) + é, Eθ = 0.00V.
Act01:
(a) Why is the electrode potential of hydrogen half-cell under standard conditions 0.00V? It is
the reference or standard electrode to which other electrode potentials are compared.
(b)
10.3 The Salt Bridge
In a galvanic cell, oxidation takes place at the anode and reduction at the cathode. There is build
up cations at the anode and build up of anions at the cathode. To maintain electrical neutrality
and prolong the flow of electrons, negative ions from the salt bridge flow to anode while
positive ions from the salt bridge flow to the cathode. In this case, excess ions built up at each
electrode are neutralised.
Definition: A salt bridge is a U-tube containing a saturated inert electrolyte that connects the
two compartments of a galvanic cell and allow ions to flow without extensive mixing of different
solutions.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2019-2020 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy