Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

İris BENARDETE, Dilara Su ARSLANKAYA, Gökçe GÖZEK

iris.benardete@hisarschool.k12.tr dilara.arslankaya@hisarschool.k12.tr
gokce.gozek@hisarschool.k12.tr

Abstract:
In this research modification, a galvanic cell was constructed using Zn+2/Zn and Cu +2/Cu couples

with a NaCl salt bridge to be able to calculate the Eocell of a spontaneous redox reaction. Due to

the respective reduction potentials of Zn and Cu, a spontaneous redox reaction occurred when

the zinc electrode was connected to the negative terminal and when the copper electrode was

connected to the positive terminal of the voltmeter. The experimenters were given the

half-reaction potentials of Zn and Cu which is -0.76 for the oxidized Zn atoms and 0.34 for the

reduced Cu atoms. This information lead the experimenters to come up with a hypothesis stating

that the Eocell of the overall reaction would be 1.10 due to the formula Eocell = Eocathode -

Eoanode. To be able to use this formula STP conditions were modified using 1 M solutions in 25

degrees. This experiment was handled by eleventh-grade students Dilara Arslankaya, İris

Benardete, and Gökçe Gözek in Hisar Schools laboratory. While the purpose of this experiment

was to be able to calculate the Eocell of a galvanic cell, it was also to practice our theoretical

knowledge and gain practical experience in the lab. (İris)

Keywords: Galvanic cell, oxidation, reduction, anode, cathode, voltmeter

Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

combined to complete a transfer of electrons

Introduction:
as in the following example:

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

electrons from one reactant to another are The electrons are not shown because they

called oxidation-reduction reactions or redox are neither reactants nor products but have

reactions. In a redox reaction, two simply been transferred from one species to

half-reactions occur; one reactant gives up another. At standard conditions, 25 °C and

electrons (undergoes oxidation) and another concentrations of 1.0 M for the aqueous

reactant gains electrons (undergoes ions, the measured voltage of the reduction

reduction). A piece of zinc going into a half-reaction is defined as the standard

solution as zinc ions, with each Zn atom reduction potential, E°. The values of E° for

giving up 2 electrons, is an example of an the oxidation half-reactions are opposite in

oxidation half-reaction. sign to the reduction potentials: +0.76 V for

Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Zn and –0.34 V for Cu. At standard

Another example of a reduction reaction is conditions, indicated by the superscript, the

the formation of solid copper from copper standard cell potential, E°cell, is based upon

ions in a solution. the standard reduction potentials, as shown

Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s) in equation: E°cell = E°cathode – E°anode.

However, no half-reaction can occur by Based on the values for the standard

itself. A redox reaction results when reduction potentials for the two half-cells in

oxidation and a reduction half-reaction are equation, the standard cell potential, E°cell,

for the galvanic cell is predicted to be:

2
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

E°cell = +0.34 V – (–0.76 V) = +1.10 V The wires. When the two electrodes are

positive voltage for Eo cell indicates that at connected to an electric load such as a

standard conditions the reaction is voltmeter the circuit is completed, the

spontaneous. oxidation-reduction reaction occurs, and

The two half-cells are connected by a electrons move from the anode (−) to the

salt-bridge that allows a “current” of ions cathode (+), producing an electric current

from one half-cell to the other to complete (İris)

the circuit of electron current in the external

3
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

Table of Contents:

Abstract: 1
Introduction: 1
Table of Contents: 2
Materials and Procedure: 3
Materials: 3
Procedure: 3
Results and Discussion: 5
Results: 5
Discussion: 5
Conclusion: 6
Resources: 6

4
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

prepared. For 1M CuSO4 solution, 15.960

Materials and Procedure:
grams of solid is mixed with a slight amount

of water in a beaker to dissolve in it and

a. Materials:
become able to put the whole solution into a
- 1M ZnSO₄
volumetric flask. After solid particles are
- 1M CuSO4
dissociated, the solution is poured in a
- Zn and Cu plates
volumetric flask and water is added until
- Voltmeter
100ml of solution is acquired. Meanwhile,
- Connecting wires
the same process is applied to 1M ZnSO₄
- Salt Bridge (KNO3)
with 16.147 grams of solid. Then, both
- Cotton
homogeneously mixed solutions are poured
- Camera
back into their beakers. Zn electrode (Zinc
(Dilara)
plate) is placed in ZnSO₄ solution and the

b. Procedure: Cu electrode (Copperplate) placed in CuSO4

solution. Later on, a salt-bridge is

In this experiment setup, the
constructed by filling the U-tube with a
conversion of chemical energy to electrical
KNO3 solution and occlude the mouth of the
energy is observed by the construction of a
tube with cotton. Then, it is placed into the
galvanic cell with the usage of Zn+2/Zn and
beakers.
Cu +2/Cu and a salt bridge. First, 100 ml of

1M CuSO4 and 1M ZnSO₄ solutions are

5
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

After that, one conducting wire is connected

to the Zn electrode which is known as the

Results and Discussion:

anode (reduced agent), and other wire is

a. Results:
connected to the Cu electrode which is

known as the cathode (oxidized agent). After the salt bridge is placed and wires are

Then, both wires are connected to the connected to the voltmeter, it is measured

voltmeter to measure the voltage of the that the cell potential is 1.1V. (Gokce)

current, and all process is recorded with a

b. Discussion:
camera. (Dilara)
The result obtained (1.1 V) was

equal to what was hypothesized before the

experiment using mathematical calculations

of Eocell from half-reactions. This confirms

the validity of our experiment since it can be

assumed that the experiment was done in

standard conditions, 298 K and 1 atm.

The experiment tested the basic idea

and structure behind the batteries used

today. When the cathode and anode are

placed in solutions of their ionic forms, and

connected with cables and a salt bridge,

redox reactions occur. This redox reaction

transfers electrons from anode (loses

6
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek
electrons/oxidized) to cathode (gains
electrons/reduced), creating a current. As the
electrons are transferred through the wires, a
potential difference occurs, which are
balanced with the anions and cations from
the salt bridge.
Furthermore, during the process, an
important factor of acquiring the correct cell
potential value was the usage of properly
functioning wires and a valid voltmeter that
matched the voltage scale of the experiment.
In our experiment, the resulting voltage
value couldn't be attained in the beginning.
However, after the replacement of the cables
and the 10V voltmeter with a 5V voltmeter,
the result appeared on the voltmeter clearly.
This complication also means that even if
the value reads a voltmeter, it may be
incorrect if improper cables and voltmeters
are used. In this case, this scenario is not
applicable since the voltage value on the
Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report
voltmeter matched that calculated
mathematically.
Moreover, if the experiment hadn’t
taken place in an environment at STP
conditions, the value calculated with the
formula Eocell = Eocathode - Eoanode
couldn’t have been compared with the value
obtained experimentally. In order to check
the experiment’s validity, Ecell = Eocell -
[0.0592V * log(Q)] / n formula would be
necessary. (Gokce)
Conclusion:
Overall, when a Zn-Cu cell was
constructed using a KNO3 salt bridge at STP,
the resulting voltage value was coherent
with that obtained using mathematical
calculations. In the electrochemical cell, Zn
was more active than Cu, so it was oxidized
while Cu was reduced. This resulted in an
electron flow from the anode end Zn
7
Benardete, Arslankaya, Gözek Electrochemical Galvanic Cell Lab Report

towards the cathode end Cu. This electron of today’s widely used batteries. (Gokce

flow created current and potential

difference, which form the basic principles

Resources:
Eni Generalic, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology. “CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY.” Galvanic

Cell @ Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary, glossary.periodni.com/glossary.php?en=galvanic+cel.l