Surname 1

Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
REDOX LAB REPORT

Investigating the Effect of Concentration of Electrolyte in the Cu-Zn Galvanic Cell

Introduction
I am interested in this topic as I use electronic gadgets all day long and depend on
batteries or accu power. These power units are voltaic cells and science is researching
hard to make them more and more powerful and long lasting. Redox reactions are one
of the main reactions in the chemical world and involve one of the elements losing
electrons which is said to have been oxidized and gaining of electrons by another which
is said to have been reduced (Bahlake et al 6). Electrochemistry deals with this class of
chemical reaction which has been of great importance around the chemical world. As
the word electro indicates there is generation of electricity coming from the transfer of
electrons to the oxidizing agent from the reducing agent. An electrochemical cell is
made when the reducing and oxidizing agent are separated and connected with
electrodes, a salt bridge and a wire. electrochemical cells are divided into galvanic,
voltaic and electrolytic cells.

The galvanic cells change chemical energy into electrical energy but electrolytic cells do
the vice versa. In a galvanic cell voltage is only generated due to the fact that there is a
combined electric potential coming from the two metals used in the electrolyte of the
metal sulfate solution. The fact is, when the concentration of a single electrolyte
solution is increased, then the number of anions and cations is increased and also relies
on the electrolyte being increased which results in increased voltage potential of the
entire cell (Bahlake et al 4). As the current flows in the circuit of a galvanic cell,
equilibrium requirements are not achieved and potential of the cell will be reduced by a
number of mechanisms, for instance, overpotential development. It is very important to
know that chemical reactions keep on as the cell keep producing power, due to this
continued activity the concentrations of the electrolyte change and the voltage of the cell
is reduced with time as the cell keep operating. The salt bridge works to separate the
solutions of the two solutions but also it must be porous enough to be able to allow an
exchange of anions and cations between the electrolytes.

In the reduction zinc goes to the solution in the form of zinc ions by giving up 2 electrons
which creates an oxidation half reaction.

Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e

In the reverse reaction Zn2+ get two electrons to change to zinc atoms which is a
reduction reaction.

Zn2+(aq) + 2e- → Zn(s)

 Surname 2

Copper goes through the same half reactions to combine with zinc so as to form the
complete transfer of electrons.

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Background research

The experiment I’ve decided to do, is to investigate the effect of concentration of

electrolyte on the current of voltaic cell. In a voltaic cell, chemical energy is converted to
electrical through the oxidation and reduction happen on the electrodes. I expect, Zn
releases electrons which will then flow via the salt bridge to the Cu where they will be
absorbed. This experiment evolves all around galvanic cells. A galvanic cell is a
spontaneous oxidation-reduction reaction, where the reduction takes place at the
cathode and the oxidation at the anode. In this experiment the cathode is CuSO 4 and
the anode is ZnSO4 which are connected with a Na2SO4 salt bridge.

Fig.1(https://
glossary.periodni.com/glossary.php?en=galvanic+cell)

In fig.1 it is clearly shown that the electrons move from the the zinc anode to the copper
cathode. In fig.1 a potassium chloride salt bridge used, however in schools the use of
KCl isn’t allowed so therefore in my experiment a sodium sulphate salt bridge is being
used.
The current will be measured with a voltmeter. A salt bridge is being used because
current cannot flow through pure water because electrolytes must be dissolved in it first
in order for the electricity to pass through. Zinc has higher reactivity and it is more likely
to lose electrons. Thus, electrons flow from Zn electrode to Cu electrode. Copper stripe
 Surname 3

is the positive electrode. Zinc stripe is the negative electrode. In this experiment the
concentration of CuSO4 will be changed where ZnSO 4 will be constant and vice versa.
The equation for this cell reaction is:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Nernst equation

The Nernst equation can be used to find the cell potential at any moment during a
reaction or at conditions other than standard-state. The equation for the Nernst equation
is:

RT [ Red ]
E=E ༠− ln
nF [ Ox ]

E = cell potential (V) under specific conditions

E = cell potential at standard-state conditions
R = ideal gas constant = 8.314 J/mol-K
T = temperature (kelvin), which is generally 25 C (298 K)
n = number of moles of electrons transferred in the balanced equation
F = Faraday's constant, the charge on a mole of electrons = 95,484.56 C/mol
[ Red ]
= Concentration of the reduction
[ Ox ]

(http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/stone/tutorialnotefiles/electro/nernst.htm)

Feasibility

Free energy which is also called Gibbs free energy can be used to predict the feasibility
of a reaction (Mkawi 131). The formula to calculate the feasibility is:
ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°

ΔG° is the standard free energy of the whole reaction

Standard free energy helps us to predict the feasibility of the cell

For the reaction to be spontaneous ΔG° but be negative meaning E is positive

On a spontaneous cell reaction;

ΔG° = -nFE°cell

But E°cell = 2.303/nF× Rtlog Kc

Therefore; E= E° - RT/ nF×ln Q

=1.10V- (8.31J.mol K) (298K)/(2mol) (96500C/mol) ln (1.75)/ (0.100)

=1.06V
 Surname 4

Hypothesis

By reducing the concentration of either or both electrolytes in the galvanic cell would
reduce the voltage of the cell, as there would be less reactants, so the reaction should
be slower and therefore produce less electricity. So, I hypothesize that when reducing
one of the reactants the

Table 1: Materials required

Materials Amount required

Copper strips On per trial for each dilution

Zinc strips On per trial for each dilution

Voltmeter + Wires 1

Sodium sulfate Enough for salt bride

Thermometer 1

Beakers 11

Volumetric flask 8

10mL pipette 1

1mL pipette 1

Micropipette 1

ZnSO₄ 100ml

CuSO₄ 100ml

Filter paper for salt bridge

Sand paper

Preparing different of dilution:

1. Using 10cm³ of CuSO4 using a 10cm³ pipette pouring it into a 100cm³ volumetric
flask and filling it up with 90cm³ distilled water. This gives me the 0.1M solution of
CuSO4
 Surname 5

2. Using 1cm³ of CuSO4 using a 1cm³ pipette pouring it into a 100cm³ volumetric
flask and filling it up with 99cm³ distilled water. This gives me the 0.01M solution
of CuSO4
3. Using the Micropipette and set the number to 100 to get 0.1 cm³ of CuSO 4. Filling
it into a volumetric flask and fill it up too 100cm³ with distilled water. This gives
me the solution with 0.001M.
4. Using the Micropipette and set the number to 10 to get 0.001cm³ of CuSO 4. Filling
it into a volumetric flask and fill it up too 100cm³ with distilled water. This gives
me the solution with 0.0001M.
5. Repeat the 4 steps above with the ZnSO 4 solution.

Table 2: Dilution of ZnSO4

Amount of ZnSO4 Amount of distilled End volume of End concentration
Stock solution (cm³) water (cm³) dilution (cm³) of
dilution (M)

100 - 100 1

10 90 100 0.1

1 99 100 0.01

0.1 99.9 100 0.001

0.001 99.999 100 0.0001

Table 3: Dilution of CuSO4

Amount of CuSO4 Amount of distilled End volume of End concentration
Stock solution (cm³) water (cm³) dilution (cm³) of
dilution (M)

100 - 100 1

10 90 100 0.1

1 99 100 0.01

0.1 99.9 100 0.001

0.001 99.999 100 0.0001

Method:

1. Cut the Zinc and the Copper strips into the desired size
2. Clean both strips with sandpaper
3. Put the Copper strip into the beaker containing 20cm 3 of 1M CuSO4 solution
 Surname 6

4. Take the Zinc strip and put it into another beaker containing 20cm 3 of 1M
ZnSO4 solution
5. Measure the temperature of the solutions
6. Connect the two solutions with Na2SO4 bridge
7. Connect the positive terminal of the voltmeter with the Copper strip using the
connecting wire
8. Connect the negative terminal of the voltmeter with the Zinc strip using the
another connecting wire
9. Record the reading on the voltmeter. This value gives the E.M.F of the cell
10. Take 2 readings for each solution
11. Change the strips for each solution
12. Repeat the experiment by taking a different concentration of CuSO 4 solutions
and let ZnSO4 be constant (1M) first
13. Write down the readings
14. After taking all the readings let CuSO 4 be constant and the concentration of
ZnSO4 change
15. Take 2 readings and write them down
16. Zn/Cu was well set up so as to utilise the concentrations of CuSO4 (aq) in the
right volume of 25cm3.

Risk assessment

Substance Risk How to prevent it

ZnSO4 Zinc sulphate can cause When using zinc sulphate,

irritated when inhaling it. It
can cause dizziness,
vomiting and can limit the
ability to breathe. Zinc
sulphate should not get
into your eyes. Also, when
zinc sulphate get into touch
with the skin it can cause
irritation and itchiness. Zinc
sulphate should be drained
down the sink because it
harms the environment
protection goggles should
be worn and if something
gets on either your skin or
eyes then it should
immediately be cleaned
with water.
Zinc sulphate should be
disposed in a special
disposal bin for solutions.

CuSO4

Raw data
 Surname 7

Table 4: ZnSO4 being constant and concentration of CuSO4 changes

Temperature of the solutions is: 26.1 = 299.25 Kelvin

ZnSO4 CuSO4 E.M.F Trial 1 ±2 E.M.F Trial 2 Average
(mol dm-³) (mol dm-³) ±2 E.M.F

1 1 1.091 1.090 1.0905

1 0.1 1.085 1.083 1.0840

1 0.01 1.074 1.079 1.0765

1 0.001 1.067 1.066 1.0665

1 0.0001 1.052 1.054 1.0530

Table 4: CuSO4 being constant and concentration of ZnSO 4 changes

The temperature of the solutions is: 24.6 = 279.75 kelvin

ZnSO4 CuSO4 E.M.F Trial 1 E.M.F Trial 2 Average E.M.F
(mol dm-³) (mol dm-³) ±2 ±2

1M 1M 1.090 1.092 1.091

1M 0.1M 1.095 1.097 1.096

1M 0.01M 1.105 1.109 1.107

1M 0.001M 1.114 1.118 1.116

1M 0.0001M 1.123 1.123 1.123

Processed data

Using the Nernst equation to calculate the Literal E°cell:

RT [ Red ]
E=E ༠− ln
nF [ Ox ]

( 8.314 )( 279.75 ) [ 0.1 ]

E=1.10− ln = 1.128
(2)(95484.56) [ 1]
 Surname 8

( 8.314 )( 279.75 ) [ 0.01 ]

E=1.10− ln = 1.156
(2)(95484.56) [ 1]
( 8.314 )( 279.75 ) [ 0.001 ]
E=1.10− ln = 1.184
(2)(95484.56) [ 1]
( 8.314 )( 279.75 ) [ 0.0001 ]
E=1.10− ln = 1.212
(2)(95484.56) [ 1]

( 8.314 )( 299.25 ) [ 1 ]
E=1.10− ln = 1.1
(2)(95484.56) [ 1 ]

( 8.314 )( 299.25 ) [ 1]
E=1.10− ln = 1.070
(2)(95484.56) [ 0.1 ]
( 8.314 )( 299.25 ) [ 1]
E=1.10− ln = 1.040
(2)(95484.56) [ 0.01 ]
( 8.314 )( 299.25 ) [ 1]
E=1.10− ln = 1.010
(2)(95484.56) [ 0.001 ]
( 8.314 )( 299.25 ) [ 1]
E=1.10− ln =0.980
(2)(95484.56) [ 0.0001 ]

Table 5:
[ Zn ²⁺ ] Experimental E°cell Literal E°cell
ln = lnQ
[ Cu ² ⁺ ]
[ 0.0001 ] 1.0290 1.212
ln = -9.210
[1 ]
[ 0.001 ] 1.0430 1.184
ln = -6.908
[ 1]
[ 0.01 ] 1.0545 1.156
ln = -4.605
[ 1]
[ 0.1 ] 1.0795 1.128
ln = -2.303
[ 1]

[1 ] 1.0905 1.100
ln =0
[1 ]
 Surname 9

[ 1] 1.0840 1.070
ln = 2.303
[ 0.1 ]
[ 1] 1.0765 1.040
ln = 4.605
[ 0.01 ]
[ 1] 1.0665 1.010
ln = 6.908
[ 0.001 ]
[1 ] 1.0530 0.980
ln = 9.210
[ 0.0001 ]

Data analysis:

In a galvanic cell, the reason the voltage is generated is because of the combined
electric potentials of the two metals. If increasing the concentration of one of the
electrolyte solutions. The number of anions and cations increases, thus increasing the
voltage potential of the cell. In this galvanic cell where ZnSO 4 being constant and
CuSO4 is being changed, the E°cell is decrease and vice versa for when the
concentration of ZnSO4 is being changed. So therefore, the graph for this experiment
should result in a straight line.

The red line indicates the data from my experiment and the blue line indicates the
theoretical E°cell value. As can be seen the general trend is correct, however, the
 Surname 10

magnitude is different. This occurs because the conduction of the electrodes was not
perfect and a reason for this could be the oxide layer on the electrode. Also, a reason
for the lower magnitude of my curve could be the power loss in the circuit.

Equipment Uncertainty

100mL Volumetric flask ± 0.05

10mL pipette ± 0.05

1mL pipette ± 0.05

Micropipette ±

Graph shows ZnSO4 being constant and concentration of CuSO4 changes at

299.25 kelvin

Average EMF
1.1

1.0905
1.09 1.086

1.08 1.0765
Avarage EMF

1.07 1.0665

1.06
1.053
1.05

1.04

1.03
1 2 CuSO4 mol
3 dm-3 4 5
 Surname 11

CuSO4 being constant and concentration of ZnSO4 changes

at 279.75 kelvin
1.2

0.8
Avarage EMF

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

ZnSO4

Evaluation of Results

The graphs above illustrate how changing the concentration of one of the reactants
affects the emf released by the cell. Decrease in the number of ions which balance the
charges also cause causes a decrease in the emf released. Less ions are present to
replace positive ions and electrons inside the cell which affects the emf of the cell.
Decreasing the concentration of the electrolyte means that les electrons will be flowing
in the circuit which will lead to a decline in the value of voltage to the released. As seen
of the results an increase in the concentration of electrolyte on both sides of the cell
leads to an increased production of voltage by the cell.

Suggestions of improvement

Firstly, a lot of keenness should be considered to use more clean beakers and metals
so to as to increase reliability and accuracy of results. Purity is good because impurities
changes the compositions of the cell contents and as materials remain in the solution it
hard for reactants to react and produce sufficient voltage (Bahlake et al 7). Standard
conditions should also be ideally kept on the aim to improve results, the voltmeter was
unstable and hence the huge contribution to the errors of the values of voltage received.
As part of improvement it is good to consider standards, apparatus and reactants which
have well kept and clean to maximize the accuracy of the results. To reduce the
deviations from the theoretical and the measured values all the suggestions of
improvement should be kept in place.
 Surname 12

Extensions of investigations

The experiment leaves a room for carrying out the process under high temperatures to
know what will happen to the voltage if change in concentration of electrolyte and
temperature variations are carried out simultaneously. The experiment would be good to
know if batteries have the capability to withstand high temperatures and still function
and what could be done to make them work at high temperatures with steady
production of voltage (Bockris et al 27). Many of the space probes rely greatly on
photovoltaic generation of power, if good galvanic cell is manufactured with the
capability of withstanding the sun and using its power of generation of power can be of
great help. Cells which can work under high light intensity, high temperatures and high
radiations of light can be developed so as to be used in various places

Limitations Why is it a limitation? Solution for the limitation

Sensitivity of the voltmeter The sensitivity of the The solution to this

voltmeter is very important problem would be to use a
in this experiment and as better and more accurate
we are not equipped with voltmeter.
the best equipment in the
school, the uncertainty is
much bigger, than if a
voltmeter that specializes
in measuring the current
up to more decimal
numbers with more
accuracy is being used.
Also, in my experiment I
tried several voltmeters
first and some of them
didn’t work properly. So, if I
would have used one of
those voltmeters than my
experiment could have
come out completely
inaccurate due to the
broken voltmeter.

Cathode and anode the cathode I've used is

because we don’t know if copper and as I said
they are 100% pure earlier, copper is not
always found 100% pure
and since the solution is
the main part of my
 Surname 13

experiment, it's important

that it's 100% pure

Cathode needs to be pure
I used copper and zinc The easiest way is to clean
stripes, but copper, for the strips with sand paper
example, is not 100% pure before each use.
found in nature and is often Sandpaper is a little
mixed with other coarser and removes the
substances. Therefore, I layer and thus the
cannot be sure if the electrons can move freely
stripes were completely again.
pure. If they were not, then
this is also a reason why I
did not get exactly the get
datas I should have gotten.
The strips, especially the
copper strips, oxidize when
lying out in the air and form
a layer on the strip. This
layer makes it difficult for
the electrons to move and
therefore the current is less
high than if this layer was
not on the strip.

Temperature I could not make the The temperature also has

- Not done on the experiment on the same an effect on the reaction
same day day, so I did the and the ability for the
experiment where the electrons to move and
concentration of the CuSO4 therefore it would have
solution changed first and been better to do the whole
the temperature was experiment on the same
different than the next day day
where I did the same with
the ZnSO4 solution.

Conclusion

The practical achieved the primary aim of finding how cell potential with the change in
the concentration of the electrolyte. The fact is, change in the concentration of the
solution affects or changes the cell potential in a proportional manner. There are
several ways which can be applied to improve this practical and make the results to be
even more reliable. The ammeter can be made more accurate so as to make the
results to be accurate and more reliable, for instance, if the machine had a smaller
uncertainty then the results become more reliable hence making the experience to be
 Surname 14

close to perfection. It is obvious that when water is added to Sulphur the temperature of
the solution increase drastically and it so it is good to take temperature measurements
of the solution then allow it to drop to room temperature. After doing all that the results
can be more reliable and accurate. The stripes of zinc and copper with impurities could
have been a huge risk in making the results to deviate from accuracy, impurities reduce
the amount of current in the voltaic cell. The pungent smell released is because some
acid mist was being released together with hydrogen gas. To make the results more
accurate it is good to consider carrying risk assessment as part of the experiment so as
to know what to do better next time.
 Surname 15

Work cited

Mkawi, E. M., et al. "Effect of complexing agents on the electrodeposition of Cu–Zn–Sn

metal precursors and corresponding Cu2ZnSnS4-based solar cells." Journal of
Electroanalytical Chemistry 735 (2014): 129-135.

Bahlake, A., M. Rezaei Ansari, and S. Khajeh Talkhoncheh. "Experimental investigation

of an electrochemical cell from the power generation view point."
http://www.imedpub.com/articles/experimental-investigation-of-an-
electrochemical-cell-from-the-powergeneration-view-point.pdf

Bockris, John O'M., Brian E. Conway, and Ralph E. White, eds. Modern aspects of
electrochemistry. Vol. 22. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.