Electrolysis and Corrosion Lab Experiment

What is the purpose of a galvanic cell?

What occurs at the anode during an electrochemical reaction?

What is the term for a substance that loses electrons during a redox reaction?

What is the purpose of a Daniell Cell?

What is the term for a shorthand abbreviation of the chemical reactions in a voltaic cell?

What is the purpose of mnemonics in electrochemistry?

What is the purpose of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell?

What is being reduced at the cathode in the given electrochemical cell?

What is the purpose of wearing personal protective equipment during an electrochemical cell experiment?

What is the function of the voltmeter in an electrochemical cell?

What is the oxidation half-reaction in the given electrochemical cell?

What should you avoid doing during an electrochemical cell experiment?

What is the direction of electron flow in an electrochemical cell?

What is being oxidized at the anode in the given electrochemical cell?

Galvanic Cell (Voltaic Cell)

A galvanic cell is an apparatus that generates electrical energy from redox reactions.
Redox stands for reduction-oxidation.

Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation involves the loss of electrons.
The substance that loses electrons is called the reducing agent.
Reduction involves the gain of electrons.
The substance that gains electrons is called the oxidizing agent.

Mnemonics for Oxidation and Reduction

OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction is Gain)
LEORA (Lose Electron, Oxidation, Reducing Agent)
GEROA (Gain Electron, Reduction, Oxidizing Agent)

Daniell Cell

A Daniell cell is a specific arrangement of Zn and Cu electrodes.

Cell Potential

Cell potential is a shorthand abbreviation of the chemical reactions in a voltaic cell.
Left side represents oxidation (anode): Zn(s) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-
Right side represents reduction (cathode): Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)

Experiment Set-up

Voltmeter measures the difference in electrical potential between the anode and the cathode.
Salt bridge balances the charge in the electrodes.

Laboratory Safety

Always wear personal protective equipment.
Remove papers, notebooks, combustible materials, and excess chemicals from the area.
Tie back long hair, dangling jewelry, or loose clothing.
Read chemical labels and handle with care.
Avoid spills.
Do not dispose of chemicals in the sink.
Never touch chemicals with bare hands.

This lab experiment aims to assemble a voltaic cell and illustrate the electrochemical nature of corrosion of iron. It covers redox reactions and galvanic cells.