Electro Chemical Cell

Electro Chemical 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 zinc is placed in a copper solution, the solution is found to be
warmer as the reaction proceeds according to the equation.
Zn(s) + CuS04(aq) —¥ ZnS04(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) + 2AgN03(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq)+ Mg(s)
Thus, we conclude that whenever a redox takesplace directly in a
single 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 an illustrated

below:
ZnIZn2 + I l cu2 +lcu
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.
2+ 2+
Zn Zn cu cu
(1.0M)
(1.0M)
Salt bridge and Its Function
A salt-bridge is a U-shaped tube containing concentrated solution of

an inert electrolyte like KCL, KN03, K2S04 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 cell.
Thus, the main functions of the salt bridge are:
 To complete the electrical circuit by allowing the ions to flow
from one solution to the other without mixing of the two
solutions.
 To maintain the electrical neutrality of the solutions in the two
half cells
 Let us see what would happen if the salt bridge were not used in
the cells show in the following diagram.
 Electrons are given out by the zinc electrode where they will
neutralize some of the Cu2 + ions of the solution. Thus S04 -
ions will not leave and the solution will acquire a negative
charge. At the same time, Zn2 + ions produced from zinc plate
will enter ZnS04 solution. After some time, the flow of
electrons will stop and hence the current stops flowing.
Some Important Features
*The electrode at which oxidation takes place is called the anode. The
electrode at which the reduction takes place is called the cathode.
*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
*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.
*The oxidation of Zn into ions produces excess of Zn + ions in the left

2
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.
*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
*Evidently, the weight of the copper rod will increase while that of
zinc rod will decrease as the cell works
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.
PROCEDURE
Take two clean beakers.
In one beaker take 0.5M copper sulphate solution and in the

other take 0.5M zinc sulphate solution.
Take a copper strip and clean it using a sandpaper.
Dip the copper strip into the beaker containing the 1M copper
sulphate solution.
Similarly, take a mnc strip and clean it using a sandpaper.
Then dip into the beaker containing 1M zinc sulphate solution.
Take a salt bridge and connect the two solutions using the salt
bridge.
Take a voltmeter and connect the copper strip to the positive
terminal and the zinc strip to the negative terminal using
connecting wires.
Note the positive of the pointer in the voltmeter and record the
reading.
Repeat the experiment by taking different concentration of zinc
sulphate and the copper sulphate solutions
OBSERVATION
With these observations, we conclude that EMF of the cell increases

with decreases in the concentration of the electrolyte around the anode
and the increase in the concentration of the electrolyte around the
cathode
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Wikipedia.com
Google search engine

Electro Chemical Cell

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electro Chemical Cell

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electro Chemical Cell

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electro Chemical cell

Whenever a redox reaction is allowed to take place directly in a

An electrochemical cell is represented in a manner an illustrated

ZnIZn2 + I l cu2 +lcu

I.e. by convention, the electrode on which oxidation takes place is

A salt-bridge is a U-shaped tube containing concentrated solution of

*Since electrons are produced at the zinc electrodes, this electrode is

*The oxidation of Zn into ions produces excess of Zn + ions in the left

beaker. This creates an unbalanced positive charge in the solution. To

*As copper from copper sulphate solution is deposited on the copper

A zinc rod is placed in the zinc sulphate solution taken in a

Take two clean beakers.

In one beaker take 0.5M copper sulphate solution and in the

Take a copper strip and clean it using a sandpaper.

Then dip into the beaker containing 1M zinc sulphate solution.

With these observations, we conclude that EMF of the cell increases

Google search engine

You might also like