Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the relationship between electrical energy and chemical changes, often involving redox reactions.
What is a redox reaction?
A redox reaction, or oxidation-reduction reaction, involves the transfer of electrons between two species, where one is oxidized and the other is reduced.
What is the function of an electrode?
Electrodes serve as conductive surfaces that allow the flow of electrons into or out of a system in electrochemical cells or batteries.
What is a galvanic cell?
A galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from spontaneous redox reactions taking place within the cell.
Define the term 'salt bridge' in electrochemistry.
A salt bridge is a device used in galvanic cells to maintain electrical neutrality by allowing the exchange of ions between two half-cells.
What is a standard electrode potential?
Standard electrode potential is the measure of the individual potential of a reversible electrode at standard conditions, relative to the standard hydrogen electrode.
Explain the Nernst equation.
The Nernst equation calculates the cell potential of an electrochemical cell based on concentration of ions at non-standard conditions.
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a process in which electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, often involving decomposition or ion reduction.
Differentiate between anode and cathode in electrochemical cells.
In electrochemical cells, the anode is where oxidation occurs, and the cathode is where reduction occurs.
What does Faraday's Law of Electrolysis state?
Faraday's Law of Electrolysis states that the amount of substance liberated at an electrode is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity passed through the electrolyte.
What is a voltaic cell?
A voltaic, or galvanic cell, uses chemical energy from a spontaneous reaction to generate electrical energy.
Describe the role of the electrolyte in electrochemical cells.
Electrolytes conduct ions in electrochemical cells, facilitating electron flow between anode and cathode, and maintaining cell neutrality.
How does a Daniell cell function?
A Daniell cell functions by converting chemical energy from zinc and copper ions into electrical energy through redox reactions.
What is the SHE (Standard Hydrogen Electrode) used for?
The SHE is used as a reference electrode to measure the electrode potential of other electrodes at standard conditions.
How are electrochemical cell reactions balanced?
Electrochemical cell reactions are balanced by ensuring equal numbers of electrons are transferred in oxidation and reduction half-reactions.