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Electrochemical reactions are oxidation-reduction reactions. The two parts of the reaction are physically separated.
The oxidation reaction occurs in one cell. The reduction reaction occurs in the other cell.
There are two kinds electrochemical cells. 1. Electrochemical cells containing nonspontaneous chemical reactions are called electrolytic cells. 2. Electrochemical cells containing spontaneous chemical reactions are called voltaic or galvanic cells.
Electrical Conduction
Metals conduct electric currents well in a process called metallic conduction. In metallic conduction there is electron flow with no atomic motion. In ionic or electrolytic conduction ionic motion transports the electrons.
Positively charged ions, cations, move toward the negative electrode, cathode. Negatively charged ions, anions, move toward the positive electrode, anode.
Electrodes
The following convention for electrodes is correct for either electrolytic or voltaic cells: The cathode is the electrode at which reduction occurs.
The cathode is negative in electrolytic cells and positive in voltaic cells.
In all voltaic cells, electrons flow spontaneously from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode).
Whether a particular electrode behaves as an anode or as a cathode depends on what the other electrode of the cell is.
Easiest to reduce is Strongest Oxidizing Agent Ag + Cu 2+ Zn 2+ (find order using left hand side of table) Least likely to be reduced is Strongest Reducing Agent Zn Cu Ag (find order using right hand side of table)
The graphite rod is the positive electrode (cathode). Ammonium ions from the NH4Cl are reduced at the cathode.
At the anode, NH3 combines with Zn2+ to form a soluble complex and removing the Zn2+ ions from the reaction.
Secondary cells are reversible, rechargeable. The electrodes in a secondary cell can be regenerated by the addition of electricity.
These cells can be switched from voltaic to electrolytic cells.
One example of a secondary voltaic cell is the lead storage or car battery.
This is the anode reaction. The anode is the negative battery post during discharge.
The Pb2+ ions that are formed combine with SO42- from sulfuric acid to form solid lead sulfate on the Pb electrode.
Pb
2+
2SO4
PbSO4 s
The concentration of the H2SO4 decreases as the cell discharges. Recharging the cell regenerates the H2SO4.
Notice that the overall reaction is the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water.
The cell provides a drinking water supply for the astronauts as well as the electricity for the lights, computers, etc. on board.
4 5
If [Cu2+] and [Cu+] are both 1.0 M, i.e. at standard conditions, then E = E0 because the concentration term equals zero.
1 equivalent of oxidizing agent gain of 6.022 1023 e1 equivalent of reducing agent loss of 6.022 1023 e-