This labster experiment is about Redox Reactions and discovers the concept of how batteries work

through working in a virtual lab. In this virtual experiment, students are tasked in a realistic and engaging
way to describe the concept of oxidation states and explore trends in the periodic table.

Starting the experiment, you are in the middle of nowhere with your electric car that had broken down
due to battery problems. The students have been assigned the task of constructing their own battery to
get the car back in motion. In order to accomplish this, the students must investigate the chemical
reactions that power batteries, such as determining oxidation numbers, balancing redox reactions, and
conducting experiments with redox reactions in the laboratory. Based on their findings, they must make
a recommendation to your friend Hansen regarding whether to replace his old lead-acid battery with a
new lithium-ion battery. This should be done without raising any suspicion or alerting anyone about their
experiment.
As part of this experiment, the students will also conduct redox chemistry experiments in the lab to
understand how batteries are powered by redox reactions. They will begin by using the periodic table to
anticipate the oxidation numbers of different compounds. Then, they will balance the charges of half-
reactions and observe the changes in oxidation numbers as electrons are either gained or lost. This will
enable the students to comprehend how to use the guidelines for determining the oxidation state.

The students will also have to formulate and examine a hypothesis regarding the interaction between
copper and various aqueous solutions, utilizing their reduction potentials. These potentials are valuable
in predicting the direction of a redox reaction. It is important to note that batteries may be either acidic
or alkaline, and the students will work with Dr. One to master the process of balancing redox reactions
step by step in both types of environments.
The students will now explore how redox reactions can be utilized to generate power in a galvanic cell,
given their understanding of what a redox reaction entails and what happens to the electrons. Their task
involves experimenting with various metal combinations for the anode and cathode in order to identify
the most efficient pairing. As they work, they may also uncover another method for predicting the
direction of redox reactions by completing the reactivity series. Additionally, the students must bear in
mind that their objective is to find the best battery type to repair the electric car.

The students are also tasked to use the technique of the Aqueous redox reactions. In many instances,
redox reactions occur in aqueous solutions, which means that water or a portion of a water molecule
(such as H+ or OH-) may participate in the redox reaction. Therefore, the students must understand how
to integrate the solvent into a balanced redox equation.