Mrs.

Nielsen Honors Chemistry

Name ___________________________________________ Date ______________________ Period _____

Electrochemical Cells Simulation

Background Knowledge:
1. Define electrochemical cell:

2. How does a voltaic (galvanic) cell differ from an electrolytic cell?

3. What is required for an electrical current to exist?

4. What are the units of electrical current?

5. What type of reaction occurs at a cathode?

6. What type of reaction occurs at an anode?

7. What is the purpose of a salt bridge?

8. a. Write the reaction for the reduction of Sn2+(aq) metal

b. Write the reaction for the reduction of Cu2+(aq) metal

Voltaic Cell Simulation

http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/electroChem/voltaicCellEMF.html

1. Start the software and construct a zinc-copper electrochemical cell using 1.0 M Zn2+ and 1.0 M Cu2+ solutions.
a. What is the voltage of this cell (include units)? ____________________

b. Write the chemical equation that represents the redox reaction occurring in this cell.

c. Is this a spontaneous or non-spontaneous reaction? ___________________. Explain.

d. Label the following parts on the diagram for this electrochemical cell
• flow of electrons • Salt bridge • Solution contents and
• Zn electrode • Cathode concentration
• Cu electrode • Anode • Voltage
Mrs. Nielsen Honors Chemistry

e. Look at the molecular level animation. What is the oxidation half-reaction that occurs and where does it
occur?

f. The cathode is ______________. The anode is _____________.

2. Use the simulation to construct two other unique electrochemical cells in 1.0 M solutions.
a. Draw the diagram for each electrochemical cell that you constructed. (See problem 1e)

b. Run the simulation. What is the voltage of each cell (include units)?

Cell #1: ___________ Cell #2: ____________

c. Are these reactions spontaneous or non-spontaneous?

Cell #1: ________________________ Cell #2: ________________________

d. Look at the molecular level animation. What is the oxidation half-reaction that occurs and where does it
occur?

Cell #1: _____________________________________________

Cell #2: _____________________________________________

e. The cathode is: Cell #1: _____________ Cell #2: ____________.

The anode is: Cell #1: _____________ Cell #2: ____________.

f. Write the balanced chemical equations that represent the redox reactions occurring in these cells.

Cell #1: _____________________________________________

Cell #2: _____________________________________________