Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

Module No. 1
MODULE TITLE

ENERGY
MODULE OVERVIEW

Students investigate the phenomenon of electric current in circuits, the pathways through which
electricity flows. They work with a variety of components—D-cells, light bulbs, motors, switches, and wires—
and explore conductors and insulators. They explore series and parallel circuits and compare the functioning
of the components in each circuit. They formulate and justify their predictions, based on their observations of
electricity transferring energy to produce light and motion.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter, the students should be able to:

• Understand the concept of oxidation reduction reaction.
• Identify which reaction undergoes reduction and oxidation.
• Understand the concepts of converting Electrical energy to Chemical Energy.

LEARNING CONTENTS

In Electrochemical Energy, the following subtopics must be encountered:

a. Redox Reactions
b. Electrochemical Cells
c. Electrolysis
d. Cell potentials
e. Batteries and Fuel Cells.

LEARNING POINTS

• Define oxidation-reduction reactions.

• Balance redox reaction using the change in the oxidation number method.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 1: ENERGY
ENERGY
The exertion of power; the capacity to do work, taking the forms of kinetic energy, potential energy,
chemical energy,electrical energy, etc.
Energy is defined as the ability to produce change or do work. Energy is a changing, doing, moving,
working thing. And that work can be divided into several main tasks we easily recognize:
⚫ Energy produces light.
⚫ Energy produces heat.
⚫ Energy produces motion.
⚫ Energy produces sound.
⚫ Energy produces growth.

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Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

⚫ Energy powers technology.

FORMS OF ENERGY
There are many forms of energy, but they all fall into two categories– potential or kinetic.
Potential Energy
Potential Energy is stored energy and the energy of position, or gravitational energy. There are
several forms of potential energy, including:
⚫ Chemical Energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. It is the energy that holds
these particles together.
⚫ Stored Mechanical Energy is energy stored in objects by the application of a force.
⚫ Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom—the energy that holds the nucleus
together. The energy can be released when the nuclei are combined or split apart.
⚫ Gravitational Energy is the energy of position or place. A rock resting at the top of a hill contains
gravitational potential energy.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy is motion—the motion of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules, substances,
and objects.
⚫ Electrical Energy is the movement of electrons. Everything is made of tiny particles called atoms.
Atoms are made of even smaller particles called electrons, protons, and neutrons. Applying a force
can make some of the electrons move.
⚫ Radiant Energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves.
⚫ Thermal Energy, or heat, is the internal energy in substances—the vibration and movement of
atoms and molecules within substances.
⚫ Motion Energy is the movement of objects and substances from one place to another.
⚫ Sound Energy is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal
(compression/rarefaction) waves.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
The law of conservation of energy says energy is neither created nor destroyed. Energy can change
form, but the total quantity of energy in the universe remains the same. The only exception to this law is when
a small amount of matter is converted into energy during nuclear fusion and fission.
EFFICIENCY
Efficiency is how much useful energy you can get out of a system. In theory, a 100 percent energy
efficient machine would change all of the energy put in it into useful work.

work output
n=
Qinput

SOURCES OF ENERGY
The ten major energy sources we use today are classified into two broad groups—nonrenewable and
renewable.
⚫ Nonrenewable energy sources
These energy sources are called nonrenewable because they cannot be replenished in a short period
of time. We could run out of economically recoverable nonrenewable resources some day. These
include coal, petroleum, natural gas, propane, and uranium. They are used to generate electricity, to heat
our homes, to move our cars, and to manufacturing plants.

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Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

⚫ Renewable energy sources

These energy sources are called renewable energy sources because their supplies are replenished
in a short time. These include biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind.
ENERGY USERS
The Department of Energy uses four categories to classify energy users—residential, commercial,
industrial, and others. These categories are called the sectors of the economy.
⚫ Residential
Residences are people’s homes. Residential use are lumped together because homes use energy in
the same ways—for heating, air conditioning, water heating, lighting, and operating appliances. In 2018, the
Philippines consumed for about 28,261 GWh which comprises 34.21 percent of total consumption. .
⚫ Industrial
The industrial sector includes manufacturing, construction, mining, farming, fishing, and forestry. This
sector consumed 27,587 GWH of energy in 2018, which accounted for 33.39 percent of total consumption.
⚫ Commercial
Commercial buildings include office buildings, hospitals, stores, restaurants, and schools.
This sector has a total consumption of 29.07 percent with 24,016 GWh.
⚫ Others
This sector consumed 2,753 GWh of energy in 2018, which accounted for 3.33 percent of total
consumption.

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Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY
Electrochemistry
The science of the chemistry associated with the flow of electricity, especially at the surface of an
electrode. Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deal with the interconversion of energy and
chemical energy.

Redox Reactions
An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of
electrons between two species. An oxidation-reduction reaction is any chemical reaction in which the oxidation
number of a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an electron.

In redox reactions, electrons are transferred from one species to another. Oxidation is loss of
electrons. Reduction is gain of electrons. Oxidation and reduction must occur together.
Oxidation Numbers
In order to keep track of what loses electrons and what gains them, we assign oxidation numbers.

RULES FOR ASSIGNING OXIDATION STATES

The oxidation state (OS) of an element corresponds to the number of electrons, e-, that an atom loses,
gains, or appears to use when joining with other atoms in compounds. In determining the oxidation state of
an atom, there are seven guidelines to follow:
1. The oxidation state of an individual atom is 0.
2. The total oxidation state of all atoms in: a neutral species is 0 and in an ion is equal to the ion
charge.
3. Group 1 metals have an oxidation state of +1 and Group 2 an oxidation state of +2
4. The oxidation state of fluorine is -1 in compounds
5. Hydrogen generally has an oxidation state of +1 in compounds unless it is combined with metal
thus, in which case it is -1.
6. Oxygen generally has an oxidation state of -2 in compounds
7. In binary metal compounds, Group 17 elements have an oxidation state of -1, Group 16 elements of
-2, and Group 15 elements of -3.

TAKE A LOOK ON OUR EXAMPLE:

a. SO42- b. HCl c. HOCl

d. KNO3 e. CaCO3 f. H2O

Types of Chemical Reactions

⚫ Combination Reaction
⚫ Decomposition Reactions
⚫ Single Replacement Reactions
⚫ Double Replacement Reactions
⚫ Combustion Reactions

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Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

Combination Reactions

Combination reactions are among the simplest redox reactions and, as the name suggests, involves
"combining" elements to form a chemical compound. As usual, oxidation and reduction occur together. The
general equation for a combination reaction is given below:
A+B→AB
8 Fe + S8 → 8 FeS
Decomposition Reactions
A decomposition reaction is the reverse of a combination reaction, the breakdown of a chemical
compound into individual elements:
AB→A+B
2 H2O → 2 H2 + O2
Single Replacement Reactions
A single replacement reaction involves the "replacing" of an element in the reactants with another element
in the products:
A + BC→AB+C
Mg + 2 H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2
Double Replacement Reactions
A double replacement reaction is similar to a double replacement reaction, but involves "replacing" two
elements in the reactants, with two in the products:
AB + CD → AD + CB
Pb(NO3)2 + 2 KI → PbI2 + 2 KNO3
Combustion Reactions
Combustion reactions almost always involve oxygen in the form of O 2, and are almost always exothermic,
meaning they produce heat. Chemical reactions that give off light and heat and light are colloquially referred
to as "burning."
CxHy+O2→CO2+H2O
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Redox reactions are comprised of two parts, a reduced half and an oxidized half, that always occur
together. The reduced half gains electrons and the oxidation number decreases, while the oxidized half loses
electrons and the oxidation number increases. There is no net change in the number of electrons in a redox
reaction. Those given off in the oxidation half reaction are taken up by another species in the reduction half
reaction.
The two species that exchange electrons in a redox reaction are given special names. The ion or
molecule that accepts electrons is called the oxidizing agent; by accepting electrons it causes the oxidation
of another species. Conversely, the species that donates electrons is called the reducing agent; when the
reaction occurs, it reduces the other species. In other words, what is oxidized is the reducing agent and what
is reduced is the oxidizing agent.
Example:
A clean copper wire is placed into a colorless solution of silver nitrate.

Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

REACTANT PRODUCT
ELEMENT OXIDATION NUMBER ELEMENT OXIDATION NUMBER
Cu Cu
Ag Ag
Oxidized: Oxidizing Agent:
Reduced: Reducing Agent:

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Study Guide in CHE 111: CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS Module 1: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

Oxidation half reaction:

Reduction half reaction:

The rusting of Iron:

2Fe3+(aq) + Sn2+(aq) 2Fe2+(aq) + Sn4+(aq)
REACTANT PRODUCT
ELEMENT OXIDATION NUMBER ELEMENT OXIDATION NUMBER
Fe Fe
Sn Sn
Oxidized: Oxidizing Agent:
Reduced: Reducing Agent:

Oxidation half reaction:

Reduction half reaction:

Other examples:
a.) 2H2 (g) + O2 (g) 2H2O b.) Cu + 4HNO3 Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O

Balancing a simple redox reaction using the half-reaction method

Redox reactions can be split into reduction and oxidation half-reactions. Chemists use half-reactions to
make it easier to see the electron transfer, and it also helps when balancing redox reactions. Let's write the
half-reactions for another example reaction:
Steps:
1.) Divide the equation into two incomplete half-reactions, one for the oxidation and the other for reduction.
2.) Balance each half-reaction.
a) First, balance the elements other than H and O.
b) Next, balance the O atoms by adding H2O.
c) Then, balance the H atoms by adding H+.
d) Finally, balance the charge by adding e- to the side with greater overall positive charge.
3.) Multiply each half-reaction by integer so that the number of electrons lost in one half reaction equals the
number gained in the other.
4.) Add the two half-reactions and simplify where possible by cancelling species appearing on both sides of
the equation.
5.) Check the equation to make sure that there are the same number of atoms of each kind and the same
total charge on both sides.

Example:
ClO3 –(aq) + I-(aq) I2(s) + Cl- (acidic condition)

Balancing Redox Reactions Occurring in Basic Solution

If a redox reaction occurs in basic solution, the equation must be completed by using OH- and H2O rather
than H+ and H2O. The half-reactions can be balanced initially as if they occurred in acidic solution. The H +
ions can then be “neutralized” by adding an equal number of OH- ions on both sides of the equations.

Example:
a,.) ClO3 –(aq) + I-(aq) I2(s) + Cl- (basic condition)
b.) Fe(OH)2(s) + Pb(OH)3-(aq) Fe(OH)3(s) + Pb(s) (basic condition)

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