Electrolysis Cell Student Activity

Electrochemical Cells: An Electrolytic Cell T.
Greenbowe, University of
Oregon
Model 5: Diagram of an electrolytic cell and some physical constants
Electrical current is measured in amperes (A)
1 A = 1 Coul/second 1 A.sec = 1 Coul
1 Coulomb (C) is the charge on 6.2415 x 1018
e-
1 e- has a charge of −1.602 ×10−19 C
1 Faraday is the charge on 1 mole of e-,
1 F = 96,485C/mole e-
 E°cell  E°red(cathode) - E°red (anode) 
G = - nFE n = moles of e-
- +
The symbol for a battery is
An electrolytic cell will cause a nonspontaneous

chemical reaction to occur. A diagram of an
electrolytic cell is shown above.
Consider an electrolytic cell consisting of two

copper electrodes in 1.0M CuSO4. Each electrode
is connected to an end of a battery. The battery is
a power source and pushes electrons out the
negative terminal and pulls electrons into the
A key concept in electrolytic cell calculations is the
positive terminal.
moles of atoms reduced at the cathode are
proportional to the moles of electrons forced into
the cathode by the battery.
URL: http://media.pearsoncmg.com/bc/bc_0media_chem/chem_sim/electrolysis_fc1_gm_11-26-
12/main.html
Go to the Experiment section of the computer simulation. Use the computer simulation to set-up a Cu-Cu
electrochemical electrolysis cell. Use the computer simulation to help you diagram the components of
your cell.
a. Which copper metal electrode is the more active metal? Explain how you decided.
b. Write the net ionic equation for the cell reaction. Calculate E°cell . Is this reaction spontaneous?
c. Write the half-reaction occurring at the copper electrode connected to the negative end of the
battery.
d. Write the half-reaction occurring at the copper electrode connected to the positive end of the
battery.
e. Indicate on the diagram i.) the cathode, ii.) the anode, iii.) the direction of electron flow in this
cell, iv) what hops on or hops off at each electrode (click-on the magnifying glass symbol while
your simulation is running), v.) which electrode gains mass, which loses mass.
f. Calculate t s of copper deposited when 8.00 Amps are forced into the cathode for 15.0
minutes.
Model 6: Diagram of an electrolytic cell and some standard reduction potentials.
Standard Reduction Potentials at 25°C

E°(V)
-
Au (aq) + 3e -> Au(s) +1.50
3+
Ag+(aq) + e- -> Ag(s) +0.80

2+ -
Cu (aq) + 2e -> Cu(s) +0.34
Fe2+(aq) + 2e- -> Fe(s) -0.44

Zn2+(aq) + 2e- -> Zn(s) -0.76
Al3+(aq) + 3e- -> Al(s) -1.66
Mg2+(aq) + 2e- -> Mg(s) -2.37
2. A ________________metal electrode and a copper spoon are placed in 1.00 M aqueous zinc nitrate
solution. The electrodes are connected to a battery capable of passing a current of 8.00 amperes. The
goal is to plate zinc metal on the copper spoon. Go to the Experiment section of the Electrolysis
Computer Simulation and set up an electrolysis cell designed to deposit zinc metal onto copper. Use the
computer simulation to help you diagram the components of your cell (above) and to help answer the
following questions.
a.Write the chemical reaction representing copper metal reacting with 1.00 M zinc nitrate to produce
zinc metal and copper(II) nitrate. Calculate E°cell for this reaction. Is this reaction spontaneous or
nonspontaneous?
b.Write the half-reaction occurring at the spoon electrode.
c. In order to plate zinc metal onto the spoon, which terminal of the battery (positive or negative end)
will you connect the spoon? Indicate this on the diagram. Explain.
d. In order to plate zinc onto the spoon, the other electrode should be what type of metal? Which
terminal of the battery (positive or negative end) will you connect this electrode? Put this information
on your diagram. Write the half-reaction occurring at this metal electrode.
e. Run your computer simulation and use it to diagram your electrolysis cell. Indicate on the diagram
above i.) the cathode, ii.) the anode, iii.) the direction of electron flow in this cell, iv) what hops on or
hops off at each electrode (click-on the magnifying glass symbol), v.) which electrode gains mass, which
loses mass.
f. Calculate t s of zinc deposited when 8.00 Amps are forced into the cathode for 15.0 minutes.
Compare this mass to the mass you calculated in 1f. Compare these moles to the moles you calculated in
1f. Comment?

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What are the components of an electrolytic cell and how do they function?

What factors determine whether an electrochemical reaction is spontaneous or non-spontaneous?

Electrochemical Cells: An Electrolytic Cell T.

The symbol for a battery is

An electrolytic cell will cause a nonspontaneous

Consider an electrolytic cell consisting of two

Model 6: Diagram of an electrolytic cell and some standard reduction potentials.

Standard Reduction Potentials at 25°C

Ag+(aq) + e- -> Ag(s) +0.80

Fe2+(aq) + 2e- -> Fe(s) -0.44

b.Write the half-reaction occurring at the spoon electrode.

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