Villanueva, Aaron P.

BSECE 5-1
Assignment in Energy Conversion
1. What is an Electromechanical Cell?
An electrochemical cell is a device capable of either generating electrical energy from
chemical reactions or facilitating chemical reactions through the introduction of electrical energy.
It can be created by placing metallic electrodes into an electrolyte where a chemical reaction
either uses or generates an electric current. Electrochemical cells which generate an electric
current are called voltaic cells or galvanic cells, and common batteries consist of one or more
such cells.

2. What are primary, secondary and reserved cells?

A primary cell is a battery that is designed to be used once and cannot recharged with
electricity.
A secondary cell or commonly known as rechargeable battery is a type of electrical
battery which can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times.
A reserve battery can be stored unassembled (unactivated and supplying no power) for
a long period (perhaps years). When the battery is needed, then it is assembled (e.g., by
adding electrolyte); once assembled, the battery is charged and ready to work.

3. What is the difference between the dry cell and the wet cell?

A wet cell battery is an electric cell in which the chemicals producing the current are in
the form of a liquid. Other names are flooded cell, since the liquid covers all internal parts, or
vented cell, since gases produced during operation can escape to the air while a dry cell uses a
paste electrolyte, with only enough moisture to allow current to flow.

4. What is the difference between Galvanic Cell and Electrolytic Cell?

A galvanic cell, or voltaic cell, is an electrochemical cell that derives electrical energy
from spontaneous redox reactions taking place within the cell. It generally consists of
two different metals connected by a salt bridge, or individual half-cells separated by a
porous membrane.

An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that undergoes a redox reaction when

electrical energy is applied. It is most often used to decompose chemical compounds, in
a process called electrolysisthe Greek word lysis means to break up. When electrical
energy is added to the system, the chemical energy is increased. Similarly to a galvanic
cell, electrolytic cells usually consist of two half cells.