Chemistry

INTRODUCTION
Galvanic Cells aslo called as Voltaic Cells - Devices tgat use a chemical reaction to create electricity(specifically, an
oxidation reduction reaction) - Battery is an example of Galvanic Cell Galvanic cells, also known as voltaic cells, are
electrochemical cells in which spontaneous oxidation-reduction reactions produce electrical energy. In writing the
equations, it is often convenient to separate the oxidation-reduction reactions into half-reactions to facilitate balancing
the overall equation and to emphasize the actual chemical transformations.
UNIT EXPECTED OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the key components of a galvanic cell and their functions
2. Explain the principles of oxidation and reduction in redox reactions.
3. Construct a simple galvanic cell and predict the flow of electrons and ions.
KEY COMPONENTS
1.) Electrodes - Anode- the positive electrolytic cell to which the negative ions are attracted - Cathode- The electrode
where reduction occurs. Electrons flow into the cathode from the anode.
2.) Salt bridge- connects the two half-cells and prevents the solution from mixing directly.
3.) External circuit- composed of all connected components within an electrolytic cell to achieve desired conditions.
4.) Half cells- contains one electrode and its corresponding electrolyte.
5.) Load- A part of the circuit utilizes the electron to flow to perform its function.
OXIDATION REDUCTION REACTION
Thus oxidation and reduction reactions are often called redox reactions. In terms of redox reactions, a reducing agent
and an oxidizing agent form a redox couple as they undergo the reaction:
Oxidant+n e^- —> Reeuctant Reductant —> Oxidant+ n e^-
An oxidant is an oxidizing reagent, and a reductant is a reducing agent. The reductant | oxidant or oxidant | reductant
Two members of the couple are the same element or compound, but of different oxidation state.
Copper-Zinc Voltaic Cells
When a stick of zinc (ZnZn) is inserted in a salt solution, there is a tendency for ZnZn to lose electrons according to the
reaction,
Zn→Zn2++2e−Zn→Zn2++2e−.
The arrangement of a ZnZn electrode in a solution containing Zn2+Zn2+ ions is a half cell, which is usually represented by
the notation:
Zn|Zn2+Zn|Zn2+,
Zinc metal and Zn2+Zn2+ ion form a redox couple, Zn2+Zn2+ being the oxidant, and ZnZn the reductant. The same
notation was used to designate a redox couple earlier.
Similarly, when a stick of copper (CuCu) is inserted in a copper salt solution, there is also a tendency for CuCu to lose
electrons according to the reaction,
Cu→Cu2++2e−Cu→Cu2++2e−.
This is another half cell or redox couple: Cu|Cu2+Cu|Cu2+.
However, the tendency for ZnZn to lose electrons is stronger than that for copper. When the two cells are connected by
a salt bridge and an electric conductor as shown to form a closed circuit for electrons and ions to flow, copper ions
(Cu2+Cu2+) actually gain electrons to become copper metal. The reaction and the redox couple are respectively
represented below,
Cu2++2e−→CuCu2++2e−→Cu, Cu2+|CuCu2+|Cu.
This arrangement is called a galvanic cell or battery as shown here. In a text form, this battery is represented by,
Zn|Zn2+||Cu2+|CuZn|Zn2+||Cu2+|Cu,
in which the two vertical lines ( || ) represent a salt bridge, and a single vertical line ( | ) represents the boundary
between the two phases (metal and solution). Electrons flow through the electric conductors connecting the electrodes,
and ions flow through the salt bridge. When
[Zn2+]=[Cu2+]=1.0 M[Zn2+]=[Cu2+]=1.0 M,
the voltage between the two terminals has been measured to be 1.100 V for this battery.
A battery is a package of one or more galvanic cells used for the production and storage of electric energy. The simplest
battery consists of two half cells, a reduction half cell and an oxidation half cell.
REFERENCES:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Analytical_Chemistry)/
Electrochemistry/Basics_of_Electrochemistry/Electrochemistry/Galvanic_Cells
https://youtu.be/7b34XYgADlM?si=Wx-ZXzLcaSJDMDfU

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INTRODUCTION

UNIT EXPECTED OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the key components of a galvanic cell and their functions

2. Explain the principles of oxidation and reduction in redox reactions.

Oxidant+n e^- —> Reeuctant Reductant —> Oxidant+ n e^-

Copper-Zinc Voltaic Cells

This is another half cell or redox couple: Cu|Cu2+Cu|Cu2+.

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