UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ESPAÑA, MANILA

POST-LABORATORY REPORT

Experiment 2: Potential of a Galvanic Cell

SUBMITTED BY:
CELINE JOY A. CRUZ
1CHE - A

SUBMITTED TO:
SIR JAMES COLADES
INTRODUCTION

Redox reactions release energy, and this energy can be used to do work if the reactions
take place in a voltaic cell. In a voltaic cell (sometimes called a galvanic cell), the transfer of
electrons occurs through an external pathway instead of directly between the two elements.
This external pathway which is an important component of the voltaic cell is the salt bridge,
which is a device used to maintain electrical neutrality.[1] The electrode in the oxidation half-
reaction is called the anode while the electrode in the reduction half-reaction is called the
cathode.[2] Electron flow occurs from anode to cathode, as seen in Figure 1.0, through the wire
that connects the two half-cells, and a voltmeter is used to determine the cell potential in volts.

This experiment is about the construction of a galvanic cell and the quantifying of its
potential. Thus, this experiment aims to gain knowledge on setting-up a voltaic cell and
perceives the flow of electron generating electrical energy. This also intends to inform how to
calculate for the cell potential of solutions.

Figure 1.0. General diagram of a galvanic cell

METHODOLOGY

The set-up was prepared using filter papers, CuSO4 solution, Al(NO3)3 solution,
Pb(NO3)2 solution, ZnSO4 solution, KCl solution, copper wire, aluminum wire, lead wire, zinc
metal and a voltmeter. Among the other solutions CuSO4 have the highest voltage hence, it was
considered as the cathode for all reactions.
 The filter papers were soaked in the KCl solution and served as the salt bridge. The
copper wire was held by one of the alligator clips of the voltmeter to serve as the electrode then
was half-immersed in the CuSO4 solution.

The first solution paired with copper sulphate solution was the zinc sulphate solution.
The other alligator clip clasped the zinc metal and was half-immersed in the ZnSO4 solution.
The soaked filter paper connected the two solutions by serving as the bridge. The volt meter
measured the cell potential of the reaction.

The second solution paired with copper sulphate solution was the lead nitrate solution.
From the first set-up, the lead wire replaced the zinc metal and was half-immersed in the
Pb(NO3)2. The soaked filter paper connected the two solutions by serving as the. The volt meter
measured the cell potential of the reaction.

The last solution paired with the copper sulphate solution was the aluminum nitrate
solution. From the second set-up, the aluminum wire replaced the lead wire. The aluminum wire
was half-immersed in the aluminum nitrate solution. The soaked filter paper connected the two
solutions by serving as the bridge. The volt meter measured the cell potential of the reaction.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1.0 POTENTIAL OF A GALVANIC CELL

Measured Percentage (%)

Couple (M1/M1+) ----- (M2/M2+) Theoretical
Potential/ V Error
(Anode) (Cathode)

1. Zn (s) | Zn2+ (aq) Cu2+ (aq) | Cu (s) 1.01 1.10 8.1818 %

2. Pb (s) | Pb2+ (aq) Cu2+ (aq) | Cu (s) 0.43 0.47 8.5106 %

3. Al (s) | Al3+ (aq) Cu2+ (aq) | Cu (s) 0.80 2.00 60%

 For the first reaction, which includes copper sulphate solution and zinc sulphate solution,
the measured cell potential was 1.01V. The zinc served as the anode while the copper was
used as the cathode. The percentage error of the first reaction is 8.19%.

For the second reaction, which includes copper sulphate solution and lead nitrate
solution, the measured cell potential was 0.43V. The lead served as the anode while the copper
was used as the cathode. The percentage error of the second reaction is 8.52%.

For the third reaction, which includes copper sulphate solution and aluminum nitrate
solution, the measured cell potential was 0.80V. The aluminum served as the anode while the
copper was used as the cathode. The percentage error of the third reaction is 60%.

The negative potential reading in the voltmeter indicated that the reaction didn’t proceed
spontaneously, thus, the electrodes might be placed incorrectly in the set-up.

The errors that took place in this experiment is a result of the human error which is liable
for the causation of the inaccurate results in the performed experiment in computing for the cell
potential of each galvanic cell set-up by the means of improper or incorrect usage of materials.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion, electrolysis in the galvanic or voltaic cell occurs by means of the

involvement of the flow of electrons from anode to cathode. The accuracy of the computed cell
potential significantly depended on the proper distinction of the cathode and the anode along
with the correct placement of the electrodes and the other materials.

Furthermore, this is an overview of electrode processes, showing the way in which the
fundamental components of the subject come together in an electrochemical experiment. [3] And
in this experiment, it can be inferred that interfacial potential differences are not directly
observable.[4]

REFERENCES
[1] SparkNotes Editor. (n.d.). SparkNotes on SAT Chemistry: Redox and Electrochemistry.
Retrieved April 24, 2016, from
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/chemistry/chapter6section7.rhtml

[2] SparkNotes Editor. (n.d.). SparkNotes on Galvanic Cells: Introduction and Summary.
Retrieved April 24, 2016, from
http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/electrochemistry/galvanic/summary.html

[3] Chong Kwok Feng. (n.d.). Summary of Electrochemistry. Retrieved April 30, 2016, from
https://kalam.ump.edu.my/course/info.php?id=482

[4] Stephen Lower. (May 3, 2007). Chem1 Electrochemistry: Introduction. Retrieved April 30,
2016, from http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/elchem/ec1.html