FINDING EMF

IN
ELECTROCHE
MICAL CELL
1
Introduction

2
ElectroChemical Cell

3
Representation of an Electrochemical Cell

4
Experimental Setup

5
Salt Bridge and Its Function

6
Important Features

7 Materials Required
8 Procedure
9 Observation
10 Conclusion
Aim:

To determine the electromotive force (EMF) of a galvanic cell constructed from

zinc and copper electrodes in their respective sulfate solutions and to investigate
the effect of varying concentrations and temperature on the EMF using the Nernst
equation.

Introduction:

Electrochemical cells, specifically galvanic cells, are fundamental devices in both

chemistry and industry, converting chemical energy into electrical energy through
spontaneous redox reactions. The electromotive force (EMF) of these cells, often
termed as cell potential or cell voltage, is a critical parameter that determines the
ability of the cell to do work, such as powering electrical circuits or devices.

An electrochemical cell is a device that produces an electric current from energy

released by a spontaneous redox reaction. This kind of cell includes the galvanic,
or voltaic, cell, named after Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta. These scientists
conducted several experiments on chemical reactions and electric current during
the late 18th century.

Electrochemical cells have two conductive electrodes, called the anode and the
cathode. The anode is defined as the electrode where oxidation occurs. The cathode
is the electrode where reduction takes place. Electrodes can be made from any
sufficiently conductive materials, such as metals, semiconductors, graphite, and
even conductive polymers. In between these electrodes is the electrolyte, which
contains ions that can freely move.

The voltaic cell uses two different metal electrodes, each in an electrolyte solution.
The anode will undergo oxidation and the cathode will undergo reduction. The
metal of the anode will oxidize, going from an oxidation state of 0 (in the solid
form) to a positive oxidation state, and it will become an ion. At the cathode, the
metal ion in the solution will accept one or more electrons from the cathode, and
the ion’s oxidation state will reduce to 0. This forms a solid metal that deposits on
the cathode. The two electrodes must be electrically connected to each other,
allowing for a flow of electrons that leave the metal of the anode and flow through
this connection to the ions at the surface of the cathode. This flow of electrons is an
electrical current that can be used to do work, such as turn a motor or power a
light.

ElectroChemical Cell:

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

is found that the solution becomes hot. For example, when a zinc is placed in a
copper solution, the solution is found to be warmer as the reaction proceeds
according to the equation.

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.

Understanding Electrochemical Cells

An electrochemical cell consists of two electrodes, each immersed in an electrolyte

solution containing ions that participate in the redox reactions. The cell is divided
into two half-cells:

- Anode: The electrode where oxidation occurs (loss of electrons).

- Cathode: The electrode where reduction takes place (gain of electrons).

In a typical galvanic cell, the anode is negatively charged because it supplies

electrons, and the cathode is positively charged as it accepts electrons. These
reactions create a potential difference between the electrodes, generating an electric
current when connected through an external circuit.

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.

Standard EMF of an Electrochemical Cell:

The standard EMF E° of a cell is determined by the standard reduction potentials
of the half-reactions. These potentials are measured under standard conditions: 1 M
concentration of electrolytes, 1 atm pressure for gases, and a temperature of 298 K
(25°C)

An electrochemical cell is based on reaction which can be split into the two half
reactions:

(i) Oxidation half reaction

(ii) Reduction half reaction

This formula underscores the difference between the reduction potential of the
cathode and the anode, reflecting the driving force behind the electron flow.

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:

· To complete the electrical circuit by allowing the ions to flow form one
solution to the other without mixing of the two solutions.
· To maintain the electrical neutrality of the solutions in the two half cells.

Purpose of the Experiment

This experiment aims to explore the factors affecting the EMF of a zinc-copper
galvanic cell. By constructing a cell using zinc and copper electrodes in their
respective sulfate solutions, we will measure the EMF under different conditions:

Standard conditions: Using 1 M solutions of ZnSO4 and CuSO4 at 298 K.

-Varying concentrations: Altering the molarity of the solutions to observe the effect
on EMF.

Different temperatures: Measuring the EMF at various temperatures to study its

temperature dependence.

Significance of EMF in Electrochemical Applications

Understanding the EMF of electrochemical cells is crucial in a wide range of

applications. Batteries, fuel cells, and corrosion prevention systems rely on the
principles of electrochemical cell operation. The ability to predict and control the
EMF under different conditions is vital for optimizing the performance and
efficiency of these devices.

In summary, this experiment will provide practical insights into the theoretical
concepts of cell potential, redox reactions, and the Nernst equation. It will enhance
the understanding of how chemical energy is converted into electrical energy and
how this conversion can be manipulated through changes in concentration and
temperature.

This introduction sets the stage for the experiment, explaining the fundamental
concepts of electrochemical cells and outlining the objectives of studying the EMF
under various conditions.
What is a galvanic cell

Galvanic cell is one of the most important electrochemical cells. A galvanic cell
has a combination of two metal rods known as electrodes. Both the electrodes are
immersed in a solution that contains the combination of ions and therefore form a
half cell.

The half cells are connected by a salt bridge and the solution in which both the
electrodes are dipped is known as the electrolyte. The chemical reaction happening
in this cell is known as a redox reaction. Oxidation takes place in one of the
electrodes that acts as an anode and reduction takes place on the other electrode
that acts as a cathode.

Cell notation

Some rules need to be taken care while representing an electrochemical cell. The
cathode is on the right side and anode on the left side.

The cell is represented by the rule that metals are written first and then the metal
ions that are present in the electrolyte. And these two need to be separated by a
vertical line. For example Zn | Zn2+.

The molar concentration is written within the brackets as: Zn | Zn2+(1M)

If we take an example of Daniell cell, it can be represented as: Zn | Zn2+|| Cu2+ |

Cu

Then cell notation is as follows:

Zn | Zn2+ (1M) || Cu2+ (1M)| Cu
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 circuit and 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.
Materials Required:

1. Electrodes

2. Electrolyte Solutions

3. Voltmeter

4. Salt Bridge:

5. Beakers:

6. Temperature Control Equipment:

8. Safety Equipment:
● Gloves:
● Goggles:
● Lab Coat:

9. Support and Handling Equipment:

● Electrode Holder or Stand:
● Stirring Rod or Magnetic Stirrer:

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.

Observation:

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.