ELECTROCHEMISTRY Lab Report

Name: Sky D.
Diaz
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
I. Introduction
Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the direct conversion

of chemical and electrical energy. A voltaic cell, also known as a galvanic cell, is a
chemical system that utilizes an oxidation–reduction reaction to transform chemical
energy into electrical energy; thus, it is also known as an electrochemical cell. This is also
the counterpart of electrolysis, in which electrical energy is utilized to produce chemical
reactions. Both systems are redox processes in which oxidation happens at one
electrode, called the anode, while reduction occurs at the cathode. A galvanic cell also
makes use of the half-reactions at the two electrodes, where electrons travel through the
external circuit from the anode to the cathode. The potential energy of electrons at the
anode is greater than that at the cathode. This potential difference is the major driver that
moves electrons through the external circuit. The cell potential that is symbolized
by Ecell is a measure of the potential difference between two half-cells. It is sometimes
referred to as the cell's electromotive force (emf) because it is measured in volts. An
electrochemical cell is made up of two half-reactions at distinct potentials, which are
referred to as electrode potentials. The oxidation potential refers to the electrode voltage
for the oxidation half-reaction. Similarly, reduction potential is for the reduction half-
reaction. Because every oxidation is followed by a reduction, measuring the absolute
potential value of a single electrode is difficult. As a result, any measurement is performed
against a reference electrode (Oriakhi, 2020).
This experiment requires the application of what has been learnt in

electrochemistry to understand how galvanic cells work. Furthermore, the purpose of this
experiment is to also determine the voltage produced by various electrochemical cells.
This will be achieved by measuring the voltage produced between the Lead (Pb) half-cell
and Cupper(Cu) half-cell and between Lead (Pb) half-cell and Aluminum (Al) half-cell.
II. Materials and Reagents
Materials:
• 250 mL beakers • D.C. voltmeter

• Glass U-tube • Metal strips of Cu, Al, and Pb
• Cotton plugs • Funnel
• Alligator clips
• Sandpaper
Reagents:
• 0.5 M Cu(NO3)2 • 0.5 M Pb(NO3)2

• 0.5 M Al2(SO4)3 • 0.5 M KCl
III. Methodology
Gathering of Materials
The experiment's significant materials such as 250 mL beakers, glass U-tube,

cotton plugs, alligator clips, sandpaper, D.C. voltmeter, metal strips of Cu, Al, and Pb,
funnel, 0.5 M Cu(NO3)2,0.5 M Al2(SO4)3, 0.5 M Pb(NO3)2, and 0.5 M KCl will be gathered
in the laboratory.
Preparing the Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell
The surface of the Cu and Pb strips was cleaned with sandpaper. Following
cleaning, a half-filled beaker with 0.5 M Cu(NO3)2 was prepared, and the Cu strip was
immediately placed on the beaker. A second beaker half-filled with 0.5 M Pb(NO3)2 was
also prepared, and a Pb strip was placed on it.
Preparing the salt bridge
A funnel was used to fill the U-tube with 0.5 M KCl. A cotton plug was inserted at
both ends of the u-tube after it had been filled. It was also ensured that there was no
empty space on the u-tube. After that, the U-tube was inverted and its ends were placed
on the two beakers. The half-cells and salt bridge were configured as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Half-cell set up (Madhusha,2017).
Measuring of Voltage Produced
To connect the wire that leads to the metal strips, alligator clips were used. The
wire leads were connected directly to the voltmeter terminals. After that, the voltage was
measured and recorded in table 1. The wire-leads were then detached from the metal
strips after the voltage was measured.
Preparing the Pb half-cell and Al half-cell
Sandpaper was used to clean the surface of the Pb and Al strips. Following the
cleaning, a half-filled beaker with 0.5 M Pb(NO3)2 was prepared, and the Pb strip was
immediately placed on the beaker. A second beaker half-filled with 0.5 M Al2(SO4)3 was
also prepared, and an Al strip was placed on it. A new salt bridge was also made between
the Pb half-cell and the Al half-cell. Following that, the voltage generated was instantly
measured. The half-cells and salt bridge were configured as shown in Figure 1.
Calculating the % Difference
The formula Ecell = Ered – Eox and table of standard electrode potentials was used
to calculate the theoretical value of the voltage for each electrochemical cell observed in
this experiment. The formula:
⃒ 𝑉𝑒𝑥𝑝 − 𝑉𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐 ⃒
% difference = x 100
𝑉𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐
was used to calculate the percent difference between the voltage obtained from the
experiments and the theoretical value of voltage was recorded in table 2.
IV. Results and Discussion
Results
Table 1. Voltage produced from the half-cells.
Voltage (V)
Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell 0.49
Pb half-cell and Al half-cell 0.31
Table 2. Calculated Voltage from the half-cells.
Voltage (V)

Table 3. Percent difference.
Percent difference (%)
Discussion
The objective of this experiment was to determine the voltage produced by various
electrochemical cells and to understand how galvanic cells work. The results show that
the voltage produced from the Pb half-cell and the Cu half-cell is 0.49, with a percent
difference of 4.3 percent, indicating that the calculated voltage and experimental voltage
have a little discrepancy. The voltage obtained from the Pb half-cell and the Al half-cell,
on the other hand, is 0.31, with a percent difference of 79.7 percent, indicating that the
value obtained is so far from the theoretical value of the voltage. This huge percent
difference could be due to experimental errors that caused the observed voltage to be
lower than the theoretical value of the said half-cell. Furthermore, the concentration
dependency of cell voltages is not included in the experiment, as Tanis (1990) did in his
publication "Galvanic cells and the standard reduction potential table." Tanis (1990) also
stressed the importance of electrode polarity in obtaining voltage data. He claimed that
the sign of the electrode reveals the direction of the half reaction at the electrode. When
the meter reading is positive, the half reaction occurring at the electrode attached to the
negative meter connector is supplying electrons. This shows that oxidation is occurring
at that electrode.
V. Summary ,Conclusion and Recommendation
To achieve its purpose, the experiment employs the concept of electrochemistry.

Following that, the researcher was able to measure the voltage produced by various half
cells by applying those concepts. Using the Table of Standard Electrode Potentials, the
researcher was also able to calculate theoretical voltage values. Furthermore, the
researcher was able to measure the voltage of the Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell with a
very little percent difference. However, the measured voltage from the Pb half-cell and
the Al half-cell differs significantly from the expected voltage. This large disparity could
be attributable to the fact that the voltage meter used was frequently fluctuating. From
the experiment conducted, the researcher was also able to understand that a galvanic or
voltaic cell is an electrochemical cell that transforms chemical energy into electrical
energy. It accomplishes this by utilizing the energy generated by the redox reactions that
occur within the cell. Galvanic cells also use an electrolyte that permits ions to flow
between them. Furthermore, galvanic cells are made up of two electrodes: an anode and
a cathode. When the cathode is linked to the cell's positive terminal, electrons begin to
flow through the cell, and the current flows through the circuit (Peshin,2022). To optimize
the experiment, the researchers must rinse the metal electrodes with distilled water
before returning them and utilize a non-fluctuating voltmeter to achieve stable readings
for the galvanic cells. It is also recommended to review the electrochemistry before
carrying out the experiment.
VI. References
Madhusha. (2017). Difference Between Electrochemical Cell and Electrolytic Cell |

Definition, Properties, How it Works. Pediaa.com. https://pediaa.com/difference-
between-electrochemical-cell-and-electrolytic-cell/
Oriakhi, C. O. (2020). Chemistry in quantitative language : fundamentals of general

chemistry calculations. Oxford University Press.
https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780195367997.
001.0001/isbn-9780195367997-book-part-27
Peshin,A. (2022). How Does A Galvanic Cell Work?. Science ABC; Science ABC.
https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/galvanic-cell-work.html
Tanis, David O. (1990). Galvanic cells and the standard reduction potential table. Journal
of Chemical Education, 67(7), 602–. doi:10.1021/ed067p602
VII. Appendices
Documentation
Figure 2. Cleaning of Metal Strips. Figure 3. Placing Metal strips on

the Beaker.
Figure 4. Placing the Salt Bridge. Figure 5. Connecting the Alligator

Clips on the Metal Strips.
Figure 6. Pb half-cell and Cu half- Figure 7. Pb half-cell and Al half-

cell cell.
Calculations
Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell
Ecell = Ered – Eox
Ecell = 0.34 – (-0.13)
Ecell = 0.47 V
⃒ 0.49 − 0.47 ⃒
0.47
% difference = 4.3%
Pb half-cell and Al half-cell

Ecell = Ered – Eox
Ecell = -0.13 – (-1.66)
Ecell = 1.53 V
⃒ 0.31 − 1.53 ⃒
1.53
% difference = 79.7%

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Name: Sky D.

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the direct conversion

This experiment requires the application of what has been learnt in

• 250 mL beakers • D.C. voltmeter

• 0.5 M Cu(NO3)2 • 0.5 M Pb(NO3)2

The experiment's significant materials such as 250 mL beakers, glass U-tube,

Preparing the Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell

Preparing the salt bridge

Figure 1. Half-cell set up (Madhusha,2017).

Measuring of Voltage Produced

Preparing the Pb half-cell and Al half-cell

IV. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Voltage produced from the half-cells.

Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell 0.49

Pb half-cell and Al half-cell 0.31

Table 2. Calculated Voltage from the half-cells.

Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell 0.47

Pb half-cell and Al half-cell 1.53

Percent difference (%)

Pb half-cell and Cu half-cell 4.3

Pb half-cell and Al half-cell 79.7

To achieve its purpose, the experiment employs the concept of electrochemistry.

Madhusha. (2017). Difference Between Electrochemical Cell and Electrolytic Cell |

Oriakhi, C. O. (2020). Chemistry in quantitative language : fundamentals of general

Figure 2. Cleaning of Metal Strips. Figure 3. Placing Metal strips on

Figure 4. Placing the Salt Bridge. Figure 5. Connecting the Alligator

Figure 6. Pb half-cell and Cu half- Figure 7. Pb half-cell and Al half-

Ecell = 0.34 – (-0.13)

Pb half-cell and Al half-cell

Ecell = -0.13 – (-1.66)

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