INTRODUCTION

The use of electrochemical cell to convert the Gibbs energy stored in the constituent half-
reactions into electrical work is of enormous as well as fundamental significance. We have all
used batteries and these are simply galvanic cells that are similar to those you will be
constructing in this experiment. In the laboratory, a typical electrochemical cell has the
following general construction:

The standard reduction potential is a quantitative measure of a substances tendency to

accept electrons under standard conditions (1atm of gases and 1M concentration) and is
measured in volts. The more positive the reduction potential, the greater the tendency for
reduction to occur. For the half-reaction that represents the oxidation of a metal, we can
determine the standard oxidation potential (E0oxi) for the half-reaction. This value has the
same numerical value as the standard reduction potential but the opposite sign.

In this experiment, we will construct three electrochemical cell, a zinc-copper cell, an

iron-copper cell and iron-zinc cell. We will obtain our experimental or net cell potential and
then compare this value to the standard net potential we will calculate for each cell and
writing equations for all of the half-reactions and the net reactions as well.
OBJECTIVES

1. Construct electrochemical cells.

2. To determine the net cell potentials for three electrochemical cells.
3. To calculate the net cell potential based on the potentials of the half-reactions that
occur and compare the experimental to the calculated values.

APPARATUS

Beakers
High resistance voltmeter
Alligator clip
U-tube

CHEMICALS

0.5M potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution

0.1M zinc (II) sulphate (ZnSO4) solution
0.10M copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4) solution
0.10M ferrous ammonium sulphate Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2 solution
Zinc metal
Copper metal
Nail

PROCEDURE

Part I : Constructing the Zinc Copper Electrochemical Cell

1. About 25mL of 0.10M zinc (II) sulphate (ZnSO4) solution was poured into a 50mL
beaker. The beaker was labelled as zinc.
2. About 25mL of 0.10M copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4) solution was poured into another
50mL beaker labelled as copper.
3. Strips of zinc and copper was cleaned with steel wool.
4. A salt bridge was prepared by filling up a U-tube with potassium nitrate (KNO3)
solution. A small cotton wool was placed at both ends of the U-tube.
5. An alligator clip and clip copper strip was used to one voltmeter terminal and the zinc
strip was clipped to another voltmeter terminal.The copper strip was dipped in the
beaker containing the copper solution and the and the zic strip in the beaker
containing the zinc solution at the same time. Be sure that the wires did not came in
contact with the solution.
 6. The salt bridge was inverted into both beakers.The voltage was noted and the salt
bridge was removed immediately. Reversed the connection to the metal strip and
dipped the salt bridge when the reading of voltmeter was negative. The metal strip
that attached to the negative terminal is the anode.
7. A positive reading was recorded and the anode and cathode of the cell was identified
in Table 8.1

Part II : Constructing the Iron-Copper Electrochemical Cell

1. The ends of the salt bridge was thoroughly rinsed with 0.5 M KNO3 solution. 25 ml
of 0.10 M ferrous ammonium sulfate solution was poured into a 50 ml beaker labeled
iron.
2. An iron nail was obtained and cleaned with steel wool. The iron nail was connected to
one terminal of the voltmeter and copper strip from part I was attached to another
terminal.
3. The matel strip was dipped into a proper solution and connected them with a salt
bridge.
4. A positive reading was recorded and identified the anode and cathode of the cell in
Table 8.1

Part III: Constructing the Iron-Zinc Electrochemical Cell

1. The ends of the salt bridge was thoroughly rinsed with 0.5 M KNO3 solution.
2. Kept the iron nail attached to the voltmeter in (Part II) , replaced the copper strip in
(Part II) with the zinc strip in Part I. Connected them with a salt bridge.

DATA

Table 8.1 : Voltages Reading and Identify of Metals as Anode and Cathode

Electrochemical Anode (-) Cathode (+) Measured Calculated

Cell Voltage (v) Voltage, E (v)
Zn Cu Zn Cu 0.30 1.1
Fe Cu Fe Cu 0.25 0.78
Fe - Zn Fe Zn 0.00 0.32
2.Calculate the standard cell potential in the same manner shown in the introduction section
of this laboratory experiment. Include the half reaction and the electrode potential value.

Zn-Cu electrochemical cell

Anode = Zn Zn2+ + 2e Eoxi = -0.76

Cathode = Cu2+ + 2e Cu Ered= +0.34

Ecell = Ecathode - Eanode

= (+0.34) (-0.76)
= +1.1 V
0.0257
Ecell = Ecell - ( ) ln Q

0.0257 0.10
= 1.1- ( ) ln (0.10)
2
= 1.1V

Fe-Cu electrochemical cell

Anode = Fe Fe2+ + 2e Eoxi = -0.44

Cathode = Cu2+ + 2e Cu Ered = +0.34

Ecell = Ecathode - Eanode

= (+0.34) (-0.44)
= +0.78V
0.0257
Ecell = Ecell - ( ) ln Q

0.0257 0.10
= 0.78 - ( ) ln (0.10)
2
= 0.78V

Fe-Zn electrochemical cell

Anode : Zn (s) Zn2+ (aq) + 2e E = -0.76 V

Cathode : Fe2+ (aq) + 2e Fe (s) E = -0.44 V
Cell reaction : Zn (s) + Fe2+ (aq) Zn2+ + Fe (s)
Ecell = Ecathode Eanode
= -0.44 (-0.76)
= 0.32 V
3. Compare the calculated cell potentials to the measured voltage of your electrochemical
cells.Describe the possible sources of error.

Zn-Cu electrochemical cell

The theoretical cell potential for this electrochemical cell is 1.10 V. Meanwhile
the cell potential that we obtained from the experiment was 0.3 V. The percentage
error was calculated as follows:

Percentage error (%) = 100%

1.10 V 0.3 V
= 100%
1.10 V

= 72.72%

The possible sources of error was that the alligator clip that connected to the strip
was dipped in the electrolyte.

Fe-Cu electrochemical cell

The theoretical cell potential for this electrochemical cell is 0.78 V. Meanwhile
the cell potential that we obtained from the experiment was 0.25 V. The
percentage error was calculated as follows:

Percentage error (%) = 100%

0.78 V0.25 V
= 100%
0.78 V

= 67.95%

The possible sources of error was that the alligator clip that connected to the strip
was dipped in the electrolyte.

Fe-Zn electrochemical cell

The theoretical cell potential for this electrochemical cell is - 0.32 V. Meanwhile
the cell potential that we obtained from the experiment was 0.00 V. The
percentage error was calculated as follows:

Percentage error (%) = 100%

0.32 V0.00V
= 100%
0.32 V

= 100%
 The possible sources of error was that the alligator clip that connected to the strip
was dipped in the electrolyte.

QUESTIONS

1. What are functions of a salt bridge?

The functions of salt bridge are to allow electrical connection between two half-cells.
It is also prevents mixing of the electrodes solution and maintains electrical neutrality
in each half-cells as ion flow into and out of the salt bridge.

2. Calculate the standard cell potential of a cell constructed from Mg2+ / Mg and Ni2+ /
Ni. Which half-cell is the anode and which half-cell is the cathode?
Anode: Ni Ni2+ + 2e- Eoxi = -0.25
Cathode: Mg + 2e Mg
2+ -
Ered = -2.37

Cell reaction: Ni + Mg2+ Ni2+ + Mg

Ecell = (-2.37) (-0.25)

= -2.12

The half anode is: Ni Ni2+ + 2e-

The half cathode is: Mg2+ + 2e- Mg

3. Using the Nerst Equation, what would be the potential of a cell with [Ni2+] =
[Mg2+] = 0.10M.

[Mg2+] = 0.10M
[Ni2+] = 0.10M

Oxidation = Ni Ni2+ + 2e-

Reduction = Mg2+ + 2e- Mg

0.0257
E = Ecell - ln Q

0.0257 0.10
= (-2.12) ( ) ln 0.10
2
= (-2.12) (0.013) (0)
= -2.12V
DISCUSSION

Based on the experiment, we were constructed the electrochemical cells using Zn-Cu. From
this electrochemical cells the anode was zinc and the cathode is copper. The measured
voltage that we were obtained was 0.30V while the calculated voltage for this
electrochemical cell is 1.1V. The error percentage between the calculated voltage and
measured voltage was 72.72%. The possible sources of error was that the alligator clip that
connected to the strip was dipped in the electrolyte.

In the second part of experiment, we were constructed Fe-Cu electrochemical cell. The
anode and the cathode in this electrochemical cell was Fe and Cu respectively. The measured
voltage for Fe-Cu electrochemical cells was 0.25, its calculated voltage was 0.78. The error
percentage between the calculated voltage and measured voltage was 67.95%. The possible
sources of error was that the alligator clip that connected to the strip was dipped in the
electrolyte.

For the third part in the experiment, we were constructed Fe Zn electrochemical cell. The
anode and the cathode in this electrochemical cell was Fe and Zn respectively. The measured
voltage for Fe-Zn electrochemical cell was 0.00 and its calculated voltage is 0.32. The error
percentage between the calculated voltage and measured voltage was 100%. The possible
sources of error was that the alligator clip that connected to the strip was dipped in the
electrolyte.

In order to avoid any errors during experiment, a precaution must be taken during the
electrochemical cell is being construct. We must make sure the voltmeter is working as well.
We also had to be sure that wires do not come in contact with the electrolyte solution when
the alligator clip the electrode strip. We also had to change the voltage terminal if a negative
reading is obtained.

CONCLUSION
From the experiment, we were be able to construct electrochemical cells. We also able to
determine the net cell potential for three electrochemical cells using formula

Ecell = Ecathode - Eanode

The value of Ecathode and Eanode is known from the AP reduction table. We also had
made a calculation of the net cell potential based on the potentials of the half- reactions that
occur and compare the experimental to the calculated values. The net potential cells was
calculated using formula
0.0257
Ecell = Ecell - ( ) ln Q

 Where as n is the number of electron Q is the concentration of product divide by the
concentration of reactant in the equation of the electrochemical.
REFERENCES
1. Laboratory Experiments for Physical Chemistry , Nur Azira Irma Muhammad
2. www.yahooanswer.com
3. www.scribd.com.my