OBJECTIVES

To construct electrochemical cells, to determine the net cell potentials for three
electrochemical cells, to calculate the net cell potential based on the potentials of the half-
reactions that occur and to compare experimental and calculated values and to measure the
Gibbs energy based on the cell potentials.

INTRODUCTION

An electrochemical cell is a device capable of either generating electrical

energy from chemical reactions or using electrical energy to cause chemical reactions. The
electrochemical cells which generate an electric current are called voltaic cells or galvanic
cells and those that generate chemical reactions, via electrolysis for example, are
called electrolytic cells. An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that drives a non-
spontaneous redox reaction through the application of electrical energy. They are often used
to decompose chemical compounds, in a process called electrolysis. An electrolytic cell has
three component parts: an electrolyte and two electrodes (a cathode and an anode).
The electrolyte is usually a solution of water or other solvents in which ions are dissolved.

A galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell that derives electrical energy from

spontaneous redox reactions taking place within the cell. It generally consists of two different
metals connected by a salt bridge, or individual half-cells separated by a porous membrane.

CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS

0.5M Potassium Nitrate solution

0.10M Zinc (II) Sulphate solution
0.20M Copper (II) Sulphate solution
0.50M Iron (II) Ammonium Sulphate solution
Zinc metal strip
Copper metal strip
Iron strip
Pipettes
Beaker
High resistance voltmeter
Alligator clips
PROCEDURE
Firstly, a salt bridge was prepared by completely dipping a filter paper in 0.5M Potassium
Nitrate solution. To construct the electrochemical cell, two clean beakers were filled with ¾
full of 0.10M zinc (II) sulphate and 0.20M copper (II) sulphate solutions. The strips of zinc
and copper were cleaned with steel wool. An alligator clips were used. The copper strip was
clipped to one voltmeter terminal and another clip was used to connect the zinc strip to the
other voltmeter terminal. The copper was dipped in the beaker containing copper solution and
the zinc strip was dipped in the beaker containing zinc solution at the same time. The salt
bridge was inserted into both beakers. Three readings of voltage were recorded and the anode
and cathode were identified. The temperature was recorded. Next for the Part 2, a clean
beaker was filled with ¾ full of 0.50M iron (II) ammonium sulphate solution. The iron strip
was cleaned with steel wool. The iron strip was connected to one terminal of the voltmeter as
before. The copper strip was kept from Part 1 attached to the other terminal. The metal strips
were dipped into the proper solution and they were connected with the salt bridge. Three
positive readings of voltage were recorded and anode and cathode were identified.
Temperature was recorded. For the Part 3, the iron strip attached to the voltmeter was being
kept. The copper strip in Part 2 was replaced with the zin strip in Part 1. The metal strips
were dipped into the proper solution and they were connected with a new salt bridge. Three
positive readings of voltage were recorded and anode and cathode were identified.
Temperature was recorded.
QUESTIONS

1. What is the reason for using salt bridge?

The purpose of a salt bridge is not to move electrons from the electrolyte, rather
it's to maintain charge balance because the electrons are moving from one-half
cell to the other.

2. Calculate the standard cell potential of a cell constructed from Mg 2+¿¿/Mg and ¿2 +¿¿
/Ni. Which is the anode and cathode?
E°=Nickel-Magnesium
= -0.26-(-2.37)
= 2.11
Anode: Magnesium
Cathode: Nickel

3. Using the Nernst Equation, what would be the potential of a cell with [¿2 +¿¿]=[ Mg 2+¿¿
=0.10M?
Mg(s)  Mg 2+¿¿(aq) + 2e
¿2 +¿¿(aq) + 2e  Ni(s) .
Mg(s) + ¿2 +¿¿(aq)  Mg 2+¿¿(aq) + Ni(s)

[ P]
Q=
[ R]
0.1 M
= =1
0.1 M

(0.0591)
Ecell = E ° cell - log Q
2
(0.0591)
= 2.11 – log (1)
2
= 2.08
DISCUSSION
In this experiment, we already determined the measured cell potential of the zinc-
copper electrochemical cell, iron-copper electrochemical cell and iron-zin
electrochemical cell. We also have the calculated cell potentials. For the zinc-copper,
the measured was 1.064V and the calculated cell potentials was 1.10V. Then, for the
iron-copper we got 0.595V for the measured one and for the calculated was 0.78V.
The third one for iron-zinc, 0.455V was recorded and for the calculated was 0.32V.

We have compared the standard cell potentials to the measured voltages of the
electrochemical cells. The percentage error for the zinc-copper was 0.0327%, iron-
copper was 0.237% and for the iron-zinc was 0.422%. There must be some errors
have happened during conducting the experiment. In this experiment, there are some
possible sources of error that can happen. Some of the error such as the salt bridge
offers resistance, so it has a voltage drop. Besides, impure metals for the anode or
cathode can cause a voltage change. The metal strips also play a big role in this
voltaic cell. This is because if the metal strips do not fully clean it also will affect the
voltage reading. Surface coating can cause a voltage drop.
CONCLUSION
From this electrochemistry experiment, we can conclude that we have learned how to
construct the electrochemical cells. The net cell potentials for the Zn-Cu, Fe-Cu and
Fe-Zn has been determined which are 1.064V, 0.595V and 0.455V respectively. We
also have compared the experimental values and the calculated values. The Gibbs
energy also have been measured which are -205.3kJ, -114.8kJ and -87.8kJ.

REFERENCES
- Mashiah Domat, Nesamalar Kantasamy (2017, UiTM Press) Introduction to
Physical Chemistry
- Electrochemistry and the Nernst Equation, Copyright © 2011 Advanced
Instructional Systems, Inc. and the University of California, Santa Cruz
https://www.webassign.net/labsgraceperiod/ucscgencheml1/lab_13/manual.html
- The Organic Chemistry Tutor, (Nov 23, 2017) How to Calculate the Equilibrium
Constant K - Chemical Equilibrium Problems & Ice Tables
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ0KNQ5-KaI
DATA

Electrolytes Concentration (M)

Zn2+¿¿ 0.10
Cu2+¿ ¿ 0.20
Fe2+ ¿¿ 0.30

Cell No. Zinc-copper cell Iron-copper cell Iron-zinc cell

Cell Zn(s)| Zn2+¿¿(aq)||Cu2+¿ ¿ Fe(s)| Fe2+ ¿¿(aq)||Cu2+¿ ¿ Zn(s)| Zn2+¿¿(aq)|| Fe2+ ¿¿
symbol/ (aq) (aq) (aq)
notation |Cu(s) |Cu(s) |Fe(s)
Ecell 1.107 0.586 0.457
1.064 0.599 0.452
1.059 0.601 0.455

Average 1.064 0.595 0.455

Ecell
T(K) 303 303 303
∆G -205.3 kJ -114.8 kJ -87.8 kJ
EXPERIMENT 2: ELECTROCHEMISTRY : ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AND
THERMODYNAMIC FUNCTIONS

NAME MUHAMMAD IMRAN BIN ZULKIFLI

GROUP AS2451D1

COURSE CODE CHM 432

LECTURER’S NAME DR. NORAINI BINTI HAMZAH