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98

Electrochemical Cells
Maria Salom Ariza Arenas
Lab Partner: Neyssa Sossous
Date: 4/21/15
CHM 2046L, Dr. Ors: T 2:00pm

Purpose: To observe redox reactions and construct their corresponding half-reactions and net
equations, as well as calculate their standard net potentials in order to predict and determine
spontaneity. We will construct two Galvanic cells and measure their voltages. In this lab we will
also construct an electrolytic cell, where we will plate copper from a solution of copper sulfate
onto a copper cathode for the overall reaction:
Cu+2(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
Additionally, we will measure the current flow, time, and the mass of copper for the electrolytic
cell.
Equations:
Electrolytic Cell:
Coulombs = amps x time (seconds)
F = 96,500 Coulombs/mole
Moles Cu=

amps time
2F

Other:
Enet = Eox + Ered
Materials:

Chemicals:

2 small test tubes (or a few 50mL beakers)

2 Zinc strips

2 20mL beakers

Lead Strip

Filter paper

0.1M CuSO4

LabQuest unit

0.1M Pb(NO3)2

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Black and red wires w/ alligator clips

0.1M ZnSO4

Sandpaper

KNO3 solution

100mL beaker

Iron strip

Power supply

3 Copper strips

Magnetic Stirrer

0.1M FeSO4

Stopwatch

0.1M H2SO4

Beaker of water

Safety:
0.1M CuSO4: Slightly toxic by ingestion and body tissue irritant.
0.1M Pb(NO3)2: Body tissue irritant and slightly toxic by ingestion.
Zinc: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, or inhalation.
Lead: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion or inhalation;
combustible at high temperatures.
0.1M ZnSO4: Hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, or inhalation.
KNO3: Strong oxidizer and skin irritant. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous
membranes. Avoid shock, heat, and contact with combustible materials.
Copper: Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of eye contact or
inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact.
0.1M FeSO4: Hazardous if ingested. Eye contact may cause irritation. Contact with
the skin, especially if repeated or prolonged, may cause irritation.
0.1M H2SO4: Serious eye damage or irritation, possible carcinogen, skin erosion, and
hazardous to aquatic environments.

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Table 1: Selected standard reduction potentials for half-reactions

Reduction Half-Equation

Ag

Cu

(aq)

2+

+ 1 electron Ag(s)

+ 2 electrons Cu(s)

(aq)

2 H (aq) + 2 electrons
H2(g)

Pb

2+

Sn

- 0.14

+ 2 electrons Ni(s)

- 0.26

+ 2 electrons Fe(s)

- 0.44

+ 2 electrons Zn(s)

- 0.76

(aq)

+ 2 electrons Cr(s)

- 0.91

(aq)

+ 3 electrons Al(s)

- 1.66

(aq)

2+

Al

(aq)

(aq)

2+

Cr

3+

(aq)

2+

Mg

0.00

+ 2 electrons Sn(s)

2+

Zn

0.34

- 0.13

2+

Fe

0.80

+ 2 electrons Pb(s)

(aq)

2+

Ni

Ered,
V

(aq)

+ 2 electrons Mg(s) - 2.37

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Procedure:
NOTE: All metallic strips should be cleaned of oxide by brushing them with sandpaper or steel
wool.
I. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
1. The Zn-Cu System
Obtain and place a Zinc strip in a small test tube.
a) Add enough 0.1 M CuSO4 solution into the zinc test tube to completely cover the
zinc.
b) Wait 5 minutes, record your observations.
c) Take the zinc strip out of the solution and discard the zinc, keep the solution for the
next step.
2. The Pb-Cu System
Obtain a lead strip and place it in the CuSO4 solution from step 1
a) Wait 5 minutes, record your observations.
b) Place the metal strip and the solution into the designated waste containers.
3. The Zn-Pb System
Obtain and place a zinc strip in a small test tube
a) Add enough 0.1M Pb(NO3)2 solution into the zinc test tube to completely cover the
zinc.
b) Wait 5 minutes, record your observations.
c) Place the metal strip and the solution in the designated waste containers.

II. Galvanic Cells

1. The Zn-Cu Galvanic Cell
a) Label a 20 mL beaker Zn and place 15 mL of 0.1 M ZnSO4 in it
b) Label a 20 mL beaker Cu and place 15 mL of 0.1 M CuSO4 in it
c) Fold a piece of filter paper to about 12 inch in width, fold this piece in half and place
12 in the copper solution and 12 in the zinc solution
d) Using the KNO3 solution completely soak the filter paper (this is the salt bridge)
e) Connect the 2 alligator clips on the LabQuest together and zero out the voltage by
tapping sensor then zero.
f) Connect the black wire to the anode metal and the red clip to the cathode metal.
g) Place the copper strip in the copper solution and the zinc strip in the zinc solution,

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Make sure to hold them both steady and not let the alligator clips to touch the solution or
the salt bridge.
h) Record the voltage on the LabQuest.
i) Disconnect the alligator clips from the metal strips and dispose of all metal and
solution in the appropriate waste containers.
2. The Fe-Cu Galvanic cell
a) Follow the same procedure given in the previous cell while changing the metal strips
and the solutions used
b) Use 15mL of 0.1M FeSO4 and 15mL of 0.1M CuSO4
c) Place the Iron strip in the FeSO4 solution and the Copper strip in the CuSO4 solution
d) Take the voltage
e) Disconnect the alligator clips from the metal strips and dispose of all metal and
solution in the appropriate waste containers

III. The Copper Electrolytic Cell

a) Obtain 2 copper strips and remove the oxide from the surface with sandpaper or steel
wool.
b) Label one strip A for anode and the other C for cathode and weigh them carefully.
c) Place the strips in a 100 mL beaker connected to the power supply. Positive is anode and
negative is cathode. Use the clips to clamp the electrodes to the side of the beaker. This will
eliminate the need to hold the electrodes in place.
d) Add 60 mL of 1.0M CuSO4/0.1M H2SO4 and a magnetic stirrer. Stir the solution well.
e) Turn the voltage adjustment knob to minimum (counterclockwise) and the current
adjustment knob to max.
f) Turn on the power switch and carefully raise the VOLTAGE adjustment knob until the
CURRENT reads 0.25 amps. The voltage required to do this will vary around 2-3 volts
depending on the size of your electrodes and the quantity of solution.
g) Time the process for ten minutes and carefully note the current flow keeping it within
0.01V.
h) Turn off the power, remove the copper strips and rinse them in a beaker of water. Pat them
dry carefully and weigh the strips.
i) Determine the mass of copper plated, the moles of copper plated and compare the results
with the expected value from the current flow and time.

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Part I and II I.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
1.
The Zn-Cu System
Observations:

2.

3.

Strip turned black

Seemed to accumulate precipitate, as when taken out of
solution wet black pieces scraped off of the strip.

The Pb-Cu System

Observations:

Seemingly nothing occurred.

o No change evident upon physical inspection. The only
thing we noticed was a small brown spot on the edge of
the strip, which most likely was there to begin with.
o Although we did not measure temperature with a
thermometer, we felt the small beaker and did not feel
any cooling or heating.
However, when doing this part of this experiment my lab
partner accidentally dropped in some precipitate from the 3rd
reaction into the solution, which we are unsure if it could have
affected our reaction.

The Zn-Pb System

Observations:

II.

Data Sheet

Strip turned black once again.

Initially gave appearance of miniscule bubbles on strip, but
when taken out of solution seemed to be a sparkly dark
grayish precipitate that also scrapped off of the strip easily.

Galvanic Cells
1. The Zn-Cu Galvanic Cell

Cell voltage: 1.074 V

2. The Fe-Cu Galvanic Cell

Cell voltage: 0.681 V

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Part III.

Copper Electrolytic Cell Data Table

Current (amps): 0.26

Coulombs: 164.32

Time( seconds): 632sec (10min, 32sec)

(C = Amps x seconds)

Calculated moles of copper Moles Cu = (164.32C)/

produced: [2(96,500 C/mol)
8.5140 x 10-4 moles
(Show calculations)

8.5140 x 10-4 mol x

(63.55gCu/mol)
0.05411 gCu

Calculated grams of copper

produced:

Initial Anode Mass: 1.5920

Initial Cathode Mass: 1.8481 g

Final Anode Mass: 1.5293

Final Cathode Mass: 1.9113 g

Mass of Cu Lost: 0.0627g

Mass of Cu Formed: 0.0632 g

Average Mass of copper gained at cathode and lost at anode: 0.0630g

Calculations:
To calculate moles of Cu produced, used: Moles Cu = (amps x time)/2F
*Calculations shown in corresponding box above.
To calculate grams of Cu produced:
Multiplied answer found for moles by molar mass of Cu (63.55 g/mol)
*Calculations shown in corresponding box above.
To find average mass of Cu gained at cathode:
(0.0627g + 0.0632g)/2 = 0.06295g 0.0630g
Discussion and Conclusions:

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Instead of simply balancing redox reactions as we did in lecture, in this lab we actually
got to prepare them ourselves and see them in action. We prepared three different reactions and
recorded observations for each, as seen in the Data Sheet for Part 1. We also constructed the
corresponding half reaction of these redox reactions as well as their net equations. Additionally,
we calculated the standard net potentials (Enet) and predicted spontaneity based on these values
for these redox reactions, as seen in the Post-Lab (p. 11).
As written in our observations in the Data Sheet for Part 1, when we constructed the ZnCu system the Zinc strip became black with what looked to be a precipitate, indicating that a
reaction definitely did occur. In the Pb-Cu system, however, there did not seem to be any visible
change. All we noticed upon removing the Pb strip from the solution was a small brown spot on
the edge, which most likely was there to begin with. Therefore, we did not think a reaction
occurred. Although, during the experiment my partner accidentally dropped some of the
precipitate formed in the Zn-Pb system into the solution, which may have affected our results.
Additionally, we forgot to measure the initial and final temperatures of the system to see if there
might have been a temperature change, though we did feel the beaker to see if there was any
cooling or heating and did not observe any. Lastly, after completing the Zn-Pb experiment the Zn
strip also turned black and appeared to have tiny bubbles on its surface, which turned out to be a
grayish, sparkly precipitate. This, again, indicated that a reaction definitely occurred
spontaneously, as was predicted.
Furthermore, in this lab we constructed two Galvanic cells and measured their voltages.
We then calculated voltages for these cells and compared them to our experimental values (PostLab, p. 12). Moreover, the last part of the lab involved constructing an electrolytic cell, where we
plated copper from a solution of copper sulfate onto a copper cathode. We measured the current

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flow, time, and the mass of copper for the electrolytic cell, as seen in our Copper Electrolytic
Cell Data Table (p. 7).
Overall, this was a relatively quick and simple lab compared to the last couple ones
weve done. It was very interesting to observe the redox reactions in action and construct our
own Galvanic and electrolytic cells. It was a new experience for me and was more enjoyable
than expected.

Why the difference between calculated and measured??????....-2

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Pre-Lab Questions:
1.

Answer the following questions about a galvanic cell that would have
the following net reaction
Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)
a)

Write the oxidation and reduction half reactions, include the

cell potential of the oxidation, reduction, and net cell potential

Oxidation :
Reduction :
V

Cu(s) Cu+2(aq) + 2e-

Eoxid = -0.34 V

2Ag+(aq) + 2e- 2Ag(s)

Ered = 0.80
Enet =

b)

2.

0.46 V

Is this reaction spontaneous? Why or why not?

Yes, this reaction is spontaneous because the Enet is positive. In a
galvanic cell/redox reaction, there must be a positive voltage for the
reaction to occur spontaneously.

Rank the following metals by ease of reduction, starting with the

easiest to reduce
Ag+, Ni2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Mg2+
Ag+> Pb2+> Ni2+> Al3+> Mg2+

3.

Rank the following metals by ease of oxidation, starting with the

easiest to oxidize
Mg, Ag, Fe, Cu, Cr

Mg>Cr>Fe>Cu>Ag
4.

For the following reactions state if the reactions are favored in

the forward or reverse direction
a) 2 Ag+(aq) + Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

Forward

b) Ni2+(aq) + Sn(s) Ni(s) + Sn2+(aq)

c)

Mg(s) + Fe2+(aq) Mg2+(aq) + Fe(s)

Reverse
Forward

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d)

Pb(s) + Zn2+(aq) Zn(s) + Pb2+(aq)

Post-Lab Questions

Reverse

I. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
1. The Zn-Cu System
Oxidation reaction: Zn(s) Zn+2(aq) + 2e= 0.76 V

Eoxid

Cu+2(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)

Ered

Reduction reaction:
= 0.34 V
Net Equation:
1.10 V

Zn(s) + Cu+2(aq) Zn+2(aq) + Cu(s)

Enet =

Prediction of spontaneity: Yes, spontaneous.

Comparison of predicted spontaneity with experimental observations:
Since the strip turned black and seemed to accumulate precipitate, a
reaction certainly occurred as would be expected based on our
prediction.
2.
The Pb-Cu System
Oxidation reaction: Pb(s) Pb+2(aq) + 2e= 0.13 V

Eoxid

Cu+2(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)

Ered

Reduction reaction:
= 0.34 V
Net Equation:
0.47 V

Pb(s) + Cu+2(aq) Pb+2(aq) + Cu(s)

Enet =

Prediction of spontaneity: Yes, spontaneous.

Comparison of predicted spontaneity with experimental observations:
According to our prediction, the reaction was supposed to be
spontaneous. However, experimentally, nothing seemed to happen
that indicated a reaction. We did not observe any changes so it did not
seem as if a reaction occurred.
3.

The Zn-Pb System

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Oxidation reaction:
= 0.76 V

Zn(s) Zn+2(aq) + 2e-

Eoxid

Reduction reaction:
= -0.13 V

Pb+2(aq) + 2e- Pb(s)

Ered

Net Equation:
0.63 V

Zn(s) + Pb+2(aq) Zn+2(aq) + Pb(s)

Enet =

Prediction of spontaneity: Yes, spontaneous.

Comparison of predicted spontaneity with experimental observations:
This strip also turned black and seemed to accumulate precipitate,
therefore a reaction did occur spontaneously as predicted.

2.

Galvanic Cells
1.

The Zn-Cu Galvanic Cell

Cu+2(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)

E =

Zn reaction: Zn(s) Zn+2(aq) + 2e0.76 V

E =

Cu reaction:
0.34 V

Net cell reaction

= 1.10 V

Zn(s) + Cu+2(aq) Zn+2(aq) + Cu(s)

Enet

Comparison of observed and calculated cell voltages: Our observed

voltage was 1.074V, which was very close to our calculated voltage of
1.10V.
2.

The Fe-Cu Galvanic Cell

Cu reaction:
0.34 V

Cu+2(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)

E =

Fe reaction:
0.44 V

Fe(s) Fe+2(aq) + 2e-

E =

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Net cell reaction: Cu+2(aq) + Fe(s) Cu(s) +

Enet = 0.78 V

Fe+2(aq)

Comparison of observed and calculated cell voltages: Our observed

voltage of 0.681 V was close to our calculated voltage of 0.78 V, but
not as close as in the first reaction (between Zn and Cu). Still, the
difference was only about one tenth of a volt.
III Electrolytic Cells
Aluminum is manufactured by the Hall-Heroult Process which produces
aluminum from aluminum oxide in an electrolytic cell. The net reaction
is:
Al+3 + 3e- Al (s)
You need to design a cell that will produce Al at the rate of 1 kg per
hour. How many amps must your power supply produce?
1 hr = 3,600 sec
1 kgAl x (1000g/kg) x (1 molAl/26.98 gAl) 37.06 molAl
37.06 molAl = (amps x 3,600 sec)/3(96,500 C/mol)
*Use 3 in denominator instead of 2 because youre dealing with 3
moles of electrons this time.
2980 C/sec amps
Answer: 2980 amps