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How to design an electrochemical cell that produces an optimal energy…
How to design an electrochemical cell that produces an optimal energy output?
Types of electrochemical cells
Galvanic cell
Components of a galvanic cell
2 half cells
Anode and Cathode
Salt bridge
What is the purpose of the salt bridge?
The accumulation of charge in both half cells is an undesirable situation. If this charge gathers, it will inhibit the electrochemical reaction and prevent it from reaching its full potential. The salt bridge serves as a source of spectator ions that can migrate into each of the half cells to maintain cell neutrality.
Advantages to a galvanic cell
Provide the foundation of generating and electric current spontaneously from a chemical reaction
easy to replicate
Given its application in batteries, a galvanic cell may be more relevant in terms of the research question
Disadvantages to a galvanic cell
Can be expensive - application
Electrolytic cell
Advantages to an electrolytic cell
produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas from water by subjecting it to electrolysis.
Disadvantages to an electrolytic cell
Can leak
Cannot be recycled
Short shelf-life
Unstable current and voltage
low power
How can energy output be measured?
Multimeter
Can measure voltage
Easy to use and is very effective
Light produced from a lightbulb
Δ electrolyte concentration
Δ electrode mass
Voltage
provides a quantitative value which can easily be processed, compared and interpreted
What is considered optimal?
The greater the voltage, the closer the cell may be determined to be optimal
A high energy output however, can cause the life of the cell to decrease
Greater costs are required in order to maintain a cell of such properties
Factors affecting
energy output?
Surface area of electrode
An increased surface area can in turn increase the rate of reaction, given that it decreases/increases the amount of ions in the electrolyte interacting with the electrodes. Hence the SA providing the most optimal energy output can be investigated
Temperature
Temperature can increase rate of reaction, hence the ideal temperatures to produce an optimal energy output can be investigated.
Electrolyte concentration
As electrolyte concentration increases, voltage decreases, according to the Nernst Equation. Hence the concentration providing the most optimal energy output can be investigated
Ranking on electrochemical series
Metals vary in their electrode potential. Hence Hence the best metal used to produce an optimal energy output can be investigated
Which type of cell will be investigated, and why?
A galvanic cell, given its easy replicability and relevance to the research question
What is an electrochemical cell
A cell/device which is able to convert chemical energy to electrical energy
Applications
Batteries
Portable devices
Corrosive protection
Military application
Fuel cells
What processes are responsible for conduction of electricity in an electrochemical cell
For the metallic components (zinc, copper, etc), electrons are responsible for the current flow
Both zinc and copper have high negative/positive reduction potentials, respectively
Daniell Cell could thus be replicated