Types of cells

Overview
Cells are containers of liquid with electrodes:
Source or use
of electricity
Electrode
Cell

+
Molten
or

+
aqueous
chemicals
In electrolytic cells, electricity is used to force
chemicals to undergo a redox reaction
In galavanic cells, electricity is produced
spontaneously from a redox reaction

Assignment
Read pg. 695 - 697. Answer these questions:
1) What in this room is a product of electrolysis?
2) Are ions at the anode gaining or losing electrons?
What about at the cathode?
3) How is the conduction of electricity in a wire
different from in an electrolytic cell.
4) Will electricity be conducted indefinitely through an
electrolytic cell? Explain.
5) 697 gives the cell reaction for the electrolysis of
NaCl. Write half reactions and the cell reaction for
the electrolysis of HF(aq)

Answers
1) Aluminum cans, copper wires
2) Anode = oxidation = loss of electrons (LEO)
Cathode= reduction= gain of electrons (GER)
3) In wire, electricity means flow of electrons
past metal atoms. In electrolysis, electricity
means the movement of ions.
4) No. Only until all of the ions are used up.
5) 2H+(aq) + 2e H2 (cathode / reduction)
2F(aq) F2 + 2e (anode / oxidation)
2H+(aq) + 2F(aq) H2(g) + F2(g)
Read over study note

The electrolytic cell

Cl

Na
Cl
+

+
+ Na+
+

Electric current forces charges on electrodes

Na+ is attracted to negative, Cl to positive

Na+ takes up an electron: Na+(aq) + e Na

Cl gives up an electron: 2Cl(aq) Cl2 + 2e
Thus electricity continues to flow
Pure Na is deposited, Cl2 gas is produced

Activity
Add a scoop of CuCl2 to a 50 mL beaker
Add about 30 mL of distilled water
Stir until the CuCl2 is completely dissolved
Remove a piece of aluminum (about 5 cm
square) from the role of aluminum foil
5) Submerse the aluminum in the CuCl 2(aq)
6) What is produced? (think about the chemicals
Cu
that you started with)
7) Write the redox reactions for what you saw:
___
Cu2++ _e
2 ___
Cu GER ___
Al ___
Al3++ _e
3 LEO
8) Give the cell reaction 3Cu2+ + 2Al 3Cu + 2Al3+
9) Dump solution down sink. Rinse & dry beaker
1)
2)
3)
4)

Assignment (read 17.5)

1) Where in the room is there a galvanic cell?
2) In fig.17.12, is a solution with Cu 2+ needed for the
Cu half-cell to conduct? Is a solution containing
Ag+ needed for the Ag half-cell?
3) Looking at 17.12, which electrode is losing
electrons, which is gaining electrons, which is
reduction, which is oxidation?
4) How do anodes and cathodes differ between
electrolytic and galvanic cells?
5) Try PE 5 (similar to example 17.5)
6) You saw that Cu and Al react. How can these be
used in a galvanic cell to produce energy (i.e. draw
a diagram as in PE 5)

Assignment
1) Batteries (computer, walkman) are galvanic
2) Cu2+ in unnecessary since it comes off of the
Cu electrode, Ag+ is needed because this is
deposited onto the Ag electrode
3) Cu is losing electrons to become Cu2+
(oxidation), Ag+ is gaining electrons to become
Ag (reduction).
4) In both, oxidation occurs at the anode and
reduction at the cathode.
Electrolytic: anode = + ve, cathode = ve.
Galvanic: anode = ve, cathode = + ve

5) Answers: PE 5
Electron flow
Fe (+)

Fe2+

Salt bridge

Mg ()

Mg2+

Mg Mg2+ + 2e (oxidation - LEO)

Fe2+ + 2e Fe (reduction - GER)
Mg + Fe2+ Mg2+ + Fe

6) Answers: Cu and Al
Electron flow
Cu (+)

Cu2+

Salt bridge

Al ()

Al3+

Al Al3+ + 3e (oxidation - LEO)

Cu2+ + 2e Cu (reduction - GER)
3Cu2+ + 2Al 3Cu + 2Al3+
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