ELECTROCHEMISTRY

SLO 7.4.2 Define an electrochemical cell and its two types (Galvanic or voltaic cell and electrolytic
cell).

Ans. An electrochemical cell is a device that can generate electrical energy from the chemical reactions
occurring in it, or use the electrical energy supplied to it to facilitate chemical reactions in it. There are two
types of electrochemical cells: galvanic, also called Voltaic, and electrolytic. Galvanic cells derive its energy
from spontaneous redox reactions, while electrolytic cells involve non-spontaneous reactions and thus
require an external electron source like a DC battery or an AC power source. The chemical reaction that
occurs inside such cells is commonly referred to as electrolysis.

SLO 7.4.3 Describe the nature of electrochemical processes.

Ans. Electrochemical reaction, any process either caused or accompanied by the passage of an electric
current and involving in most cases the transfer of electrons between two substances—one a solid and the
other a liquid. These reactions take place in galvanic or electrolytic cells which are dependent on
spontaneous and non-spontaneous reactions.

SLO 7.4.4 & 7.4.5 Identify the components of an electrolytic cell and deduce the direction of
movement of cations and anions towards respective electrodes in it.

Ans. The components of an electrolytic cell are following:

1. Electrolyte
2. Electrodes (Anode which is positively charged for electrolytic cells and Cathode which is negatively
charged for electrolytic cells)

When an external electric current flows into the cathode of the electrolytic cell, the resulting negative charge
attracts the dissociated positive ions present in the electrolyte. This results in the deposition of the positively
charged ions onto the cathode. At the same time, the negatively charged ions flow towards the anode, which
is positively charged. Thus oxidation takes place at anode while reduction in cathode.

SLO 7.4.6 Following are the aqueous solutions of few salts, acids, bases and molten salts. Infer which
of the set of solutions conduct electricity. Explain your answer with the reference of dissociation of ion
of those solutions.

Na2SO4, HCl, NaOH, H2SO4, NaCl(fused), CH3COOH, KOH, HNO3, AL(OH)3, Ca(OH)2, MgCl2 ,
Sugar Solution, Distilled Water, Wax.

Ans. When a solution completely dissociated into its ions it is called “Strong Electrolyte” and when partially
dissociated then it is called “Weak Electrolyte” and when it’s not dissociated then it is called “Non-
Electrolyte.”

STRONG ELECROLYTE WEAK ELECTROLYTE NON ELECTROLYTE

Salts: NaCl, Na2SO4, MgCl2 AL(OH)3 Distilled Water
Bases: NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2 CH3COOH (acetic acid/vinegar) Sugar Solution
Acids: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 Wax

SLO 7.4.7 Identify the reactivity of elements using the reactivity series.

Ans. The reactivity series of metals and non-metals are following:

SLO 7.4.8 Describe metal displacement reactions in an aqueous medium.

Ans. Metal displacement reactions refer to those chemical reactions where one more reactive metal
displaces another less reactive metal present in a compound. The elements exist either in cation or anion
form and the elements that tend to form cations will always displace cations and vice versa. Since metals are
extremely electropositive and give off cations, metals always undergo cationic displacement reactions.
Which metal displaces which one in a reaction depends upon the position of that metal in the
electrochemical series. A very common displacement reaction example in an aqueous medium is the
reaction of magnesium metal with copper sulfate in which magnesium displaces the copper because of
electrochemical series.

Mg(s) + CuSO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

SLO 7.4.9 Discuss the uses of an electrolytic cell in daily life.

Ans. There are many uses of electrolytic cell in daily life like:

1. Used in the extraction of metals from their ores.

2. It is used for refining certain metals such as copper and zinc.
3. The chlorine that sanitizes our water is produced electrolytically.
4. The alkali used in making soap is produced electrolytically.
5. Electroplating objects with chromium, nickel, gold or silver.
6. The electrolysis of water is used in the production of hydrogen for fuel, or the generation of electricity
using fuel cells.

SLO 7.4.10 Identify the components and direction of flow of electrons in a Daniel cell.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 123
SLO 7.4.13
Q. Differentiate between electrolytic and voltaic (Galvanic) cells.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 125
SLO 7.6.1
Q. Define the term ‘corrosion’.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 128
7.6.2 Describe the rusting of iron as an example of corrosion.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 128
7.6.3 Explain the methods used to prevent corrosion.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 129
7.6.4 Explain electroplating of metals on iron and steel using examples of silver, zinc, tin and
chromium plating.
Ans. Reference: Page no. 132
SLO 7.4.12 Determine the half-cell in which oxidation occurs and the half-cell in which reduction
occurs in given voltaic cells.
Ans. A Daniel cell consists of two half cell joined in series. When circuit is complete electrons begin to flow
from Zn rod through the external wires to Cu rod. Thus Zn half cell acts as anode in which oxidation occurs
and Cu half cell as cathode in which reduction occurs.
SLO 7.4.11 Describe the production of electrical energy in a dry cell.

Ans. A battery is a device that consists of one or more electrochemical cells, which converts chemical
energy into electrical energy. A dry cell is one type of electric battery, which is generally used for the home
and portable electronic devices. It consist of low moisture immobilized electrolytes in the form of a paste,
which restricts it from flowing. Due to this, it is easily transportable. Dry cells create electrical energy by
converting chemical energy into electricity. The exact means of doing so depends on the type of dry cell
battery in question, but the materials that are used are generally zinc and carbon or zinc and manganese
dioxide. These materials are placed within the electrolyte paste within the battery. They react with each
other through a chemical process in which the electrolyte (carbon or manganese dioxide) reacts with the
zinc, creating electricity. This is transmitted out of the battery using positive and negative electrodes.

SLO 7.5.1 Describe the manufacturing of sodium metal from fused NaCl.

Sodium metal can be extracted electrolytically from molten (fused) sodium chloride using a Downs Cell.
Melting point of NaCl is 801°C. At this temperature molten NaCl and Na form a metallic fog in the
container which is impossible to separate. In order to overcome this difficulty instead of only NaCl, a
mixture of NaCl and CaCl2 is electrolyzed in down's cell. The melting point of this mixture is 600C. At
600°C no metallic fog is formed. The products of the electrolysis of molten (fused) sodium chloride are
sodium metal and chlorine gas. In the Downs Cell a circular iron cathode surrounds the carbon anode and
the products of the electrolysis are separated by steel screen or gauze to prevent them coming into contact
and reforming sodium chloride. When an electric current is passed through the molten mixture of NaCl and
CaCl2, NaCl decomposes in to Na+ and Cl- ion. Na+ ions migrate towards cathode where they are reduced to
Na while Cl- ions towards the anode where they further oxidized to form chlorine gas. The molten sodium
collects in the cathode compartment where it rises to the top and is tapped off by a pipe. Chlorine is
collected at the anode.

SLO 7.5.2 Describe the manufacturing of sodium hydroxide from aqueous solution of NaCl.

Ans. Electrolysis of brine, a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium chloride is used for the industrial
production of sodium hydroxide. Electrolysis of brine produces simultaneously three important industrial
chemicals, chlorine gas, hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide. The electrolytic cell called Nelson’s Cell.
Aqueous solution of sodium chloride consists of Na+, CI–, H+ and OH– ions. These ions move towards their
respective electrodes and redox reactions take place at these electrodes. When electrolysis takes place Cl –
ions are discharged at anode and CI2 gas rises into the dome at the top of the cell. The H+ ions are discharged
at cathode and H2 gas escapes through a pipe. The sodium hydroxide solution slowly percolates into a catch
basin.