Chapter 29 PDF

Chapter 29
Simple chemical cells

29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two
metal electrodes and an electrolyte
29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals
29.3 Simple chemical cells consisting of metal-metal
ion half cells and salt bridge/porous device
Key terms
Progress check
Summary
Concept map
P. 1 / 55
Building a simple chemical cell
How can we build a simple

chemical cell?
P. 2 / 55
digital voltmeter
(as voltmeter)
The reading also
indicates electrons
are flowing through
magnesium copper
the external circuit.
copper(II) sulphate solution
Figure 29.1 The voltmeter shows a reading, indicating

that electricity is being produced. Think about
29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two metal electrodes and an
electrolyte
P. 3 / 55
digital voltmeter
(as voltmeter)
copper copper
copper(II) sulphate
solution
Figure 29.2 The voltmeter does not show a reading when two copper
strips are used instead.
electrolyte
P. 4 / 55
Two more methods for building simple chemical
cells are shown in Figures 29.3 and 29.4.
Metal couples (i.e. two strips of different metals)
other than Mg and Cu can also be used.
voltmeter
two different
metal strips
filter paper
(soaked in sodium
chloride solution)
Figure 29.3 A simple chemical cell consisting of two different metal
strips and a piece of filter paper soaked in sodium chloride solution.
electrolyte
P. 5 / 55
digital multimeter
(as voltmeter)
Cu
Mg
Figure 29.4 A simple chemical cell can be built by using a lemon

with two different metal strips inserted into it.
29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two metal electrodes and
an electrolyte
P. 6 / 55
Key point
A simple chemical cell can be set up by dipping
electrolyte The two
two different metals in an __________.
metals are connected by an external wire.

electrolyte
P. 7 / 55
Chemical changes in simple chemical cells
A chemical cell produces electricity by chemical
reactions.
What are the reactions in the chemical

cell?
Where do the electrons flowing through
the external circuit come from?

electrolyte
P. 8 / 55
A chemical cell using magnesium and copper as a
metal couple, represented by Mg/Cu.
light bulb
magnesium copper
copper(II) sulphate
solution (electrolyte)
electrolyte
P. 9 / 55
Mg is more reactive than Cu.
Mg loses electrons more readily than Cu.
Mg atoms lose electrons, and enter the electrolyte
(i.e. copper(II) sulphate solution) as Mg2+ ions.
Electrons flow from Mg to Cu in the external
circuit.
electron flow light bulb
magnesium copper
copper(II) sulphate
solution (electrolyte)
electrolyte
P. 10 / 55
Mg gives out electrons; it is the negative electrode.
Cu receives electrons; it is the positive electrode.
Mg is the negative pole or negative terminal of
the chemical cell.
Cu is the positive pole or positive terminal of
the chemical cell.
electron flow light bulb electron flow
magnesium (negative copper (positive

electrode or negative electrode or positive
pole) pole)
Figure 29.5 Electrons flow from the
negative pole to the positive pole in copper(II) sulphate
the external circuit of a chemical cell. solution (electrolyte)
electrolyte
P. 11 / 55
At the magnesium electrode
Mg atoms lose electrons to form Mg ions.
The change taking place at the Mg electrode can
be represented by the half equation:
Mg(s) → Mg2+(aq) + 2e−
At the copper electrode

Copper(II) ions in the solution gain electrons and
form Cu atoms.
The change taking place at the Cu electrode can
be represented by the half equation:
Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s)
electrolyte
P. 12 / 55
Overall equation
Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s) + 2e−
i.e. Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Skill corner 29.1 Class practice 29.1

electrolyte
P. 13 / 55
Measuring the voltage produced by a chemical cell
A chemical cell acts like an ‘electron pump’.
The voltage (or electromotive force (e.m.f.)) of

the cell is a measure of how strongly electrons
are ‘pushed’ through the circuit.
The voltage is expressed in volts (V).
P. 14 / 55
Simple chemical cells made from different metal
couples
The voltage of a chemical cell depends on which
couple of metals it has.
Copper can be used as the reference electrode
to set up various cells.
Each of the cells consists of copper coupled with

another metal.

P. 15 / 55
Copper is connected to the positive terminal of
the voltmeter.
The other metal is connected to the negative
terminal.
digital multimeter
(as voltmeter)
metal X
filter paper soaked in

sodium chloride solution
copper
Figure 29.6 Experimental set-up for measuring the voltages of chemical
cells with different metal couples.

P. 16 / 55
Metal couple Voltage of Direction of electron flow
in cell cell (V) in the external circuit
Magnesium/copper
+1.84 From Mg to Cu
(Mg/Cu)
Zinc/copper
+0.92 From Zn to Cu
(Zn/Cu)
Iron/copper
+0.49 From Fe to Cu
(Fe/Cu)
Copper/copper
0.00 −
(Cu/Cu)
Silver/copper
−0.17 From Cu to Ag
(Ag/Cu)
Table 29.1. Results of the experiment that measures the voltages of chemical
cells with different metal couples.

P. 17 / 55
The sign of the voltage indicates the polarity of
the reference copper electrode.
In the Mg/Cu cell, the voltage has a positive sign.
It indicates that Cu is the positive electrode.
Mg loses electrons more readily than Cu.
Electrons flow from the magnesium electrode to
the copper electrode in the external circuit.
digital multimeter (as voltmeter)
magnesium
filter paper soaked electron flow

in sodium chloride
solution copper
Figure 29.7 Electrons flow from the magnesium electrode to the copper
electrode in the external circuit.
P. 18 / 55
The voltages for the Zn/Cu cell and the Fe/Cu cell
have a positive sign.
Zinc and iron lose electrons more readily than

copper.
The higher the voltage, the greater is the

difference in the electron losing tendencies
between copper and the other metal.

P. 19 / 55
In the Ag/Cu cell, the voltage has a negative sign.
It indicates that copper is the negative electrode.
Cu has a greater tendency to lose electrons than Ag.
Electrons flow from the copper electrode to the
silver electrode in the external circuit.
digital multimeter (as voltmeter)
silver
filter paper soaked electron flow

in sodium chloride
solution
copper
Figure 29.8 Electrons flow from the copper electrode to the silver electrode
in the external circuit.
P. 20 / 55
Relative positions of metals in the Electrochemical
Series
An arrangement of the tendencies of the metals
to lose electrons in an aqueous solution is called
the Electrochemical Series (E.C.S.) of metals.
Learning tip
In fact, the Electrochemical Series is drawn up using
hydrogen electrode as the reference electrode. So
hydrogen is included in Figure 29.9 for reference.

P. 21 / 55
metals lose electrons K(s) K+(aq) + e−
most readily Ca(s) Ca2+(aq) + 2e−
Na(s) Na+(aq) + e−
Mg(s) Mg2+(aq) + 2e−
Al(s) Al3+(aq) + 3e−
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e−
Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) + 2e−
Pb(s) Pb2+(aq) + 2e−
H2(s) 2H+(aq) + 2e−
Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) + 2e−
metals lose electrons Ag(s) Ag+(aq) + e−
least readily Au(s) Au+(aq) + e−
Figure 29.9 The Electrochemical Series (E.C.S.) of some metals.

P. 22 / 55
Electrochemical Series Metal reactivity series
Potassium Potassium
Calcium Sodium
Sodium Calcium
Magnesium Magnesium
Aluminium Aluminium
Zinc Zinc
Iron Iron
Lead Lead
Copper Copper
Silver Silver
Table 29.2 Comparison of relative positions of some metals in the
Electrochemical Series and in the metal reactivity series.
P. 23 / 55
The relative positions of metals in the two series
are very similar.
The more readily a metal loses electrons, the
higher its position is in the E.C.S.
The more readily a metal loses electrons, the
more reactive it is, and the higher its position is in
the metal reactivity series. Example 29.1
Key point
For a simple chemical cell consisting of two metals
and an electrolyte, the further apart the two metals
are in the E.C.S., the higher is the voltage of the cell.
Experiment 29.1 Experiment 29.1 Example 29.2 Class practice 29.2

P. 24 / 55
29.3 Simple chemical cells consisting of
metal-metal ion half cells and salt
bridge/porous device
Problems associated with a simple chemical cell
consisting of two metal electrodes and an electrolyte
The simple chemical cells discussed in Figure
29.5 has some drawbacks during operation.
The magnesium reacts directly with the copper(II)

sulphate solution.
Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s)
P. 25 / 55
digital multimeter digital multimeter
(as voltmeter) (as voltmeter)
magnesium copper
after copper copper

some
copper(II) time
sulphate
solution
Figure 29.10 Magnesium reacts directly with copper(II) sulphate solution in
the above simple chemical cell.
29.3 Simple chemical cells consisting of metal-metal ion half cells and
salt bridge/porous device
P. 26 / 55
A layer of copper forms on the surface of
magnesium.
The voltage of the cell drops quickly and the

current stops flowing after a short time.
How can we improve the cell?
P. 27 / 55
Building simple chemical cells using metal-metal ion
half cells and salt bridges
Animation voltmeter
(Simple chemical cell electron flow
with a salt bridge) connecting wire
salt bridge
(soaked in KNO3(aq))
magnesium copper
Simulation
(A chemical cell with
metal/metal ion half cells)
magnesium sulphate copper(II) sulphate

solution solution
Figure 29.11 A cell made up by two half cells with a salt bridge connecting them.
P. 28 / 55
The magnesium electrode is in a solution of its
own ions — magnesium ions, Mg2+(aq), from the
magnesium sulphate solution.
The copper electrode is in a solution of copper(II)

ions, Cu2+(aq), from the copper(II) sulphate
solution.
A salt bridge joins the two half cells.
It is a strip of filter paper soaked in a solution

of an electrolyte.
P. 29 / 55
The electrolyte can be potassium nitrate, or of
any other ionic compound that does not react
with the substances of the cell.
Learning tip
Sodium chloride and sodium sulphate are also
electrolytes commonly used for making the salt bridge.
Since the magnesium and the copper(II) sulphate

solution are now separated into two half cells,
they cannot react directly.
P. 30 / 55
At the magnesium electrode:
Mg(s) → Mg2+(aq) + 2e−
At the copper electrode:

Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s)
Overall equation:
Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s)
P. 31 / 55
In the magnesium-magnesium ion half cell
The magnesium electrode dissolves and the

concentration of magnesium ions in solution
increases.
This results in a build-up of excess positive

charges.
What will happen if there is

no salt bridge?
P. 32 / 55
If there is no salt bridge, the excess positive
charges will prevent more magnesium ions from
entering the solution.
The reaction will soon stop.
P. 33 / 55
In the copper-copper ion half cell
Electrons arrive at the copper electrode.

The copper(II) ions in the solution gain electrons,
leaving an excess of sulphate ions.
This results in a build-up of excess negative
charges.
What will happen if there is

no salt bridge?
P. 34 / 55
If there is no salt bridge, the excess negative
charges in the solution will prevent more
electrons from entering the electrode.
The reaction will soon stop.
P. 35 / 55
Functions of a salt bridge
The salt bridge allows ions to move from one
half cell to the other.
electron flow voltmeter
connecting wire
salt bridge
(soaked in KNO3(aq))
magnesium copper
magnesium copper(II)
sulphate solution sulphate solution
Figure 29.12 The charges in the solutions of the two half cells are balanced
with the use of a salt bridge.
P. 36 / 55
In the left beaker
Magnesium ions (Mg2+) move into the salt bridge

or nitrate ions (NO3–) move out of the salt bridge.
Charges in the solution can be balanced.
In the right beaker
Sulphate ions (SO42–) move into the salt bridge or

potassium ions (K+) move out of the salt bridge.
Charges in the solution can be balanced.

P. 37 / 55
The salt bridge serves two main functions:
1. It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move
from one half cell into the other.
2. It provides ions to balance the charges in the
solutions of the two half cells.
P. 38 / 55
Simple chemical cells with metal-metal ion half cells
and a porous device
Daniell cell consists of a copper/copper(II) sulphate
half cell and a zinc/zinc sulphate half cell.
The half cells are separated by a porous device.
digital multimeter
(as voltmeter)
electron flow
zinc strip (negative electrode)
porous pot
copper container
Figure 29.13 The Daniell (positive electrode)
cell — a chemical cell with copper(II) sulphate solution
a porous device. zinc sulphate solution
P. 39 / 55
The porous device serves two main functions:
1. It prevents direct mixing of the two electrolytes.
2. It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move

from one electrolyte into the other.
Learning tip
Unlike salt bridge, the porous device does not provide
ions to balance the charges in the electrolytes of the
two half cells.
P. 40 / 55
Zinc is more reactive than copper.
When the cell operates, zinc loses electrons and

goes into the solution as zinc ions.
The electrons flow towards the copper container

through the external circuit.
The copper container is the positive electrode.
At the copper surface, copper(II) ions gain

electrons to form copper metal.
P. 41 / 55
At the zinc electrode (negative electrode):
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e−
At the copper electrode (positive electrode):

Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Cu(s)
Overall equation:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
The e.m.f. of the Daniell cell is about 1.10 V.

P. 42 / 55
Inside the porous device
The zinc electrode dissolves and the concentration
of zinc ions in the solution increases.
This results in a build-up of excess positive
charges.
Outside the porous device

Electrons arrive at the copper electrode.
The copper(II) ions in the solution gain electrons,
leaving an excess of sulphate ions .
This results in a build-up of excess negative
charges.
P. 43 / 55
Since zinc ions are moving out of the device and
sulphate ions are moving into the device, the
electrical neutrality of the solutions is always
maintained.
Example 29.3 Class practice 29.3
P. 44 / 55
Key terms
1. Daniell cell 丹聶爾電池
2. Electrochemical Series 電化序
3. half cell 半電池
4. half equation 半方程式
5. metal couple 金屬偶
6. reference electrode 參比電極
7. salt bridge 鹽橋
8. simple chemical cell 簡單化學電池
P. 45 / 55
Progress check
1. How can we set up a simple chemical cell?
2. What determines the direction of electron flow in a
simple chemical cell?
3. Why do different metal couples give different
voltages in simple chemical cells?
4. How can we obtain part of the Electrochemical
Series by arranging metals in order of tendency to
lose electrons?
5. What are the problems associated with a simple
chemical cell consisting of two metal electrodes
and an electrolyte?
P. 46 / 55
6. How can we improve the efficiency of a simple
chemical cell by using metal/metal ion half cells
and salt bridges/porous devices?
7. What is a Daniell cell? How does it work?
Progress check
P. 47 / 55
Summary
1. A simple chemical cell can be set up by dipping
two different metals in an electrolyte. The two
metals are connected by an external wire.
2. In a simple chemical cell, electrons flow from
the negative electrode to the positive electrode
in the external circuit. The negative electrode is
made of a metal more reactive than that of the
positive electrode.
P. 48 / 55
3. Metals can be arranged based on the voltages
of the cells set up by the combination of each
metal with a reference electrode (e.g. copper).
The voltages obtained help us arrange the
metals in order of their readiness to lose
electrons and form cations in aqueous solution.
This sequence forms the Electrochemical
Series (E.C.S.) of metals.
Summary
P. 49 / 55
4. A metal higher in the Electrochemical Series
has a stronger tendency to lose electrons (to
form cations) in an aqueous solution than a
metal lower in the series.
5. Relative positions of metals in the
Electrochemical Series are similar to those in
the metal reactivity series.
Summary
P. 50 / 55
29.3 Simple chemical cells consisting of metal-
metal ion half cells and salt bridge/porous
device
6. To improve the efficiency of the chemical cell, a
simple chemical cell can be set up by using two
metal/metal ion half cells, connected with a salt
bridge.
7. The functions of a salt bridge are to complete
the circuit and to provide ions to balance the
charges.
Summary
P. 51 / 55
8. A simple chemical cell can also be set up by
using two metal/metal ion half cells, connected
with a porous pot. Daniell cell is an example of
this type.
Summary
P. 52 / 55
Concept map
Electrochemical Series (E.C.S)

_____________________
arranged in decreasing order
Tendencies of metals to
___________________
lose electrons
measured voltages can be
used to compare
SIMPLE CHEMICAL
CELLS
P. 53 / 55
SIMPLE CHEMICAL
CELLS
Two metal/metal ion

___________________
half cells
connected by separated by
Salt bridge Porous device
Concept map
P. 54 / 55
SIMPLE CHEMICAL
CELLS
Metal couple Electrolyte
more reactive less reactive

metal metal
Negative
_________ Positive
_________
electrode electrode
Concept map
P. 55 / 55

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Chapter 29

Simple chemical cells

How can we build a simple

copper(II) sulphate solution

Figure 29.1 The voltmeter shows a reading, indicating

Figure 29.4 A simple chemical cell can be built by using a lemon

29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two metal electrodes and an

What are the reactions in the chemical

29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two metal electrodes and an

magnesium (negative copper (positive

At the copper electrode

Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) + 2e− → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s) + 2e−

i.e. Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Skill corner 29.1 Class practice 29.1

29.1 Simple chemical cells consisting of two metal electrodes and an

The voltage (or electromotive force (e.m.f.)) of

The voltage is expressed in volts (V).

Each of the cells consists of copper coupled with

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

filter paper soaked in

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

filter paper soaked electron flow

Zinc and iron lose electrons more readily than

The higher the voltage, the greater is the

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

filter paper soaked electron flow

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

Figure 29.9 The Electrochemical Series (E.C.S.) of some metals.

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

29.2 The Electrochemical Series of metals

The magnesium reacts directly with the copper(II)

after copper copper

The voltage of the cell drops quickly and the

How can we improve the cell?

magnesium sulphate copper(II) sulphate

The copper electrode is in a solution of copper(II)

A salt bridge joins the two half cells.

It is a strip of filter paper soaked in a solution

Since the magnesium and the copper(II) sulphate

At the copper electrode:

The magnesium electrode dissolves and the

This results in a build-up of excess positive

What will happen if there is

The reaction will soon stop.

Electrons arrive at the copper electrode.

What will happen if there is

The reaction will soon stop.

Magnesium ions (Mg2+) move into the salt bridge

Charges in the solution can be balanced.

In the right beaker

Sulphate ions (SO42–) move into the salt bridge or

Charges in the solution can be balanced.

2. It completes the circuit by allowing ions to move

When the cell operates, zinc loses electrons and

The electrons flow towards the copper container

The copper container is the positive electrode.

At the copper surface, copper(II) ions gain

At the copper electrode (positive electrode):

The e.m.f. of the Daniell cell is about 1.10 V.

Outside the porous device

Example 29.3 Class practice 29.3