CHAPTER 3:

ELECTROCHEMISTR
Y
( G A LVA N I C C E L L )

ENCHEM30

Instructor:
Engr. Jake T. Leonera/ Engr.
Ralph T. Crucillo
TOPICS
• Oxidation-Reduction Reaction
• Electrochemical Cell
ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Electrochemistry is the
study of relationships between
electricity and chemical
reactions. It includes the study
of both spontaneous and
nonspontaneous processes.
 OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical
reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two species. An
oxidation-reduction reaction is any chemical reaction in which the
oxidation number of a molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or
losing an electron.
Redox reactions are common and vital to some of the basic
functions of life, including photosynthesis, respiration, combustion,
and corrosion or rusting.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
To keep track of what loses electrons and what gains them, we
assign oxidation numbers. Oxidation number of an atom is the charge
that the atom would have if the compound was composed of ions.
• If the oxidation number increases for an element, then that element is
oxidized.
• If the oxidation number decreases for an element, then that element
is reduced.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
To determine the oxidation number of an atom, there are
guidelines to follow:
1. The oxidation number of an individual atom is 0. Thus, the atoms
in , , , , and aluminum metal all have an oxidation number of 0.
2. The total oxidation state of all atoms in : a neutral species is 0 and
in an ion is equal to the ion charge.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
3. The oxidation number of hydrogen is when it is combined with a
nonmetal as in , , , and . The oxidation number of hydrogen is
when it is combined with a metal as in , , , and .
4. Oxygen usually has an oxidation number of in compounds.
5. Group 1 metals have an oxidation state of +1 and Group 2 an
oxidation state of +2.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
6. In binary metal compounds, Group 17 elements have an oxidation
state of , Group 16 elements of , and Group 15 elements of .
7. The oxidation state of fluorine is -1 in compounds
8. The sum of the oxidation number in a neutral compound is zero.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
9. The sum of the oxidation number in a polyatomic ion is equal to the
charge on the ion. The oxidation number of the sulfur atom in the ion
must be , for example, because the sum of the oxidation numbers of
the atoms in this ion must equal .

10. Elements toward the bottom left corner of the periodic table are more
likely to have positive oxidation numbers than those toward the upper
right corner of the table. Sulfur has a positive oxidation number in ,
for example, because it is below oxygen in the periodic table.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
10. Elements toward the bottom left corner of the periodic table are
more likely to have positive oxidation numbers than those toward
the upper right corner of the table. Sulfur has a positive oxidation
number in , for example, because it is below oxygen in the periodic
table.
 OXIDATION NUMBERS
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Assign the oxidation numbers of the atoms in
the following compounds.
 OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS

Redox reactions are compromised of two parts, a reduced half

and an oxidized half, that always occur together. The reduced half
gains electrons and the oxidation number decreases, while the
oxidized half loses electrons and the oxidation number increases.
 OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
The two species that exchange electrons in a redox reaction are
given special names:
1. The ion or molecule that accepts electrons is called the oxidizing
agent – by accepting electrons it oxidizes other species.
2. The ion or molecule that donates electrons is called the reducing
agent – by giving electrons it reduces other species.
Hence, what is oxidized is the reducing agent and what is reduced is
the oxidizing agent.
OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
 TYPES OF REDOX REACTION
The different types of redox reactions are:
• Combination Reaction
• Decomposition Reaction
• Displacement Reaction
• Disproportionation Reaction
 COMBINATION REACTION
Combination reactions are among the simplest redox reactions
and, as the name suggests, involves “combining” elements to form a
chemical compound. As usual, oxidation and reduction occur together.
The general equation for a combination reaction is:

Examples:
 DECOMPOSITION REACTION
A decomposition reaction is the reverse of a combination
reaction, the breakdown of a chemical compound into individual
elements:

Examples:
 DISPLACEMENT REACTION
Displacement reaction can be categorized to Single
Displacement Reaction and Double Displacement Reaction.
Single Displacement Reaction
A single displacement reaction involves the “replacing” of an
element in the reactants with another element in the products:

Example:
 DISPLACEMENT REACTION
Double Displacement Reaction
A double displacement reaction is similar to a single
displacement reaction, but involves “replacing” two elements in the
reactants, with two in the products:

Example:
 DISPROPORTIONATION REACTION
In disproportionation reactions, a single substance can be both
oxidized and reduced:

Examples:
 OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
EXAMPLES: Determine the type of redox reaction and determine
which is the reducing and oxidizing agent.
 OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
ACTIVITY: Determine the type of redox reaction and determine
which is the reducing and oxidizing agent.
 BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS

The first step in determining whether the reaction is a redox

reaction is to split the equation into two half reactions.
One method used to balance redox reactions is called Half-
Reaction Method. In this method, the oxidation and reduction are
written and balanced separately.
 BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS
IN NEUTRAL CONDITION

Balance the following reaction in neutral condition:

 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
ACIDIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Each reaction is balanced by adjusting coefficients and adding ,
and in this order:
1. Balance elements in the equation other than O and H.
2. Balance the oxygen atoms by adding the appropriate number of
water () molecules to the opposite side of the equation.
3. Balance the hydrogen atoms (including those added in step 2 to
balance the oxygen atom) by adding ions to the opposite side of
the equation.
 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
ACIDIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
4. Add up the charges on each side. Make them equal by adding
enough electrons () to the more positive side. (Rule of thumb: and
are almost always on the same side).
5. The one each side must be equal; if they are not equal, they must
be multiplied by appropriate integers (lowest common multiple) to
be made the same.
6. The half reactions are added together, canceling out the electrons
to form one balanced equation. Common terms should also be
canceled out.
 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
ACIDIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Balance the following reaction in acidic condition:
 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
BASIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
If the reaction is being balanced in a basic solution, the steps in
balancing acidic solution are modified with the addition of one step
between steps 3 and 4.
3b. Add the appropriate number of to neutralize all and to convert
into water molecules.
 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
BASIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Balance the following reaction in basic condition:
 HALF-REACTION METHOD IN
BASIC AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
SEATWORK
Balance the following reaction in basic condition:
 GALVANIC CELL

Galvanic cell is an
electrochemical cell that makes use
of chemical reactions to generate
electrical energy. It is also called
Voltaic cell.
 GALVANIC CELL

In spontaneous redox reactions,

electrons are transferred and energy is
released. That energy can do work of
the electrons flow through an external
device. This is a voltaic cell.
 GALVANIC CELL

Cathode is said to be the

electrode where reduction occurs.
Anode is the point where an
oxidation occurs.
GALVANIC CELL
 GALVANIC CELL

The oxidation occurs at the

anode while the reduction occurs at
the cathode.
When electrons flow, charges
aren’t balanced. So, a salt bridge
usually a U-shaped tube that contains a
salt/salt agar solution, is used to keep
the charges balanced.