EXPERIMENT 1

GALVANIC CELLS
Introduction:
Electrochemical processes are oxidation-reduction reactions (or redox reactions) in which the
energy released by a spontaneous reaction is converted to electricity or in which electric energy is used to
cause a nonspontaneous reaction to occur. In a spontaneous redox reaction, electrons flow directly from
the reducing agent (substance that is oxidized) to the oxidizing agent (substance that is reduced) in
solution. The constant flow of electrons generates electricity.
A galvanic cell, also called a voltaic cell is any electrochemical cell in which a spontaneous redox
reaction can be used to generate an electric current. A typical galvanic cell consists of two half-cells
connected by a salt bridge. Each half-cell consists of metal electrode in contact with a solution containing
a salt of that metal. One half-cell functions as the anode, where the oxidation reaction takes place while
the other functions as the cathode, where the reduction reaction occurs. A salt bridge contains a strong
electrolyte whose ions will not react with other ions in solution or with the electrodes. It allows either
cations or anions to migrate into the solution to prevent imbalance of charge from building up as electrons
leave the anode and move to the cathode. A voltmeter is connected between the half cells to measure the
electrical potential difference or the voltage between the anode and the cathode.
In this experiment you will observe reactions that produce electricity and measure the potential
produced when two half cells are combined to form electrochemical cells. The effects of changes in
concentrations on cell potentials will also be observed and analyzed.

Procedure:
A. Measurement of Cell Potentials
1. Obtain 4 rectangular pieces (strips) of metal (Cu, Al, Fe, Mg)
2. Clean the four metal strips by using sandpaper. The metals MUST also be thoroughly recleaned
BEFORE and AFTER each use.
3. Transfer 20 ml of 0.1M CuSO4 solution in a 50-ml beaker. Place the Cu strip into the CuSO4
solution. You have just created a Cu half cell. Label the half cell by the symbol: Cu/Cu2+ (0.1 M)//.
4. Do likewise with each of the 3 metal ion solutions and metal strips to create Al, Fe, and Mg half
cells.
 Al strips in 0.1 M AlCl3 solution
 Fe strips in 0.1 M FeSO4 solution
 Mg strips in 0.1 M MgSO4 solution
5. Transfer about 25 mL of 1 M Na2SO4 solution. Roll and flatten a piece of filter paper. Using a
tweezer , soak the strips of filter paper in 1M Na2SO4 solution. These will serve as your salt
bridges.
6. Connect the Cu and Al half cells with a ‘salt bridge’ by placing one end of your salt bridge into each
half cell.
7. Measure the potential of the cell by connecting the metals to the electrodes of a voltmeter using
allligator clips to obtain a good reading .The black (negative) electrode should be on the anode, and
the red (positive) electrode should be on the cathode. Read the voltage of this voltaic cell. If you get
a negative reading, reverse the electrodes. Record the measured cell potential.
8. On your data sheet, identify the metal strips that serve as the cathode and the anode.Write an
equation for the half-reaction occurring at each electrode.
9. Measure the potential of all possible combinations of the four half cells using the same method as
above. Use a fresh salt bridge for each combination.

B. Concentration effects
1. Transfer 20 ml of 0.1M FeSO4 in a beaker and place the Fe strip into the solution.
2. Transfer 20 ml of each solution of 0.1 M CuSO4 , 0.01 M CuSO4 and 0.001 M CuSO4 in properly
labeled beakers.

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3. Clean your copper strip and place it in the 0.0010 M Cu solution. Connect this half-cell to the Fe
half-cell with a new salt bridge. Connect the voltmeter and read the voltage.
4. Remove the Cu strip and the salt bridge. Clean the Cu strip.
5. Place the Cu strip into the 0.01 M Cu solution and connect this half cell to the Fe half cell with a
new salt bridge. Connect the voltmeter and read the voltage.
6. Repeat this procedure with the 0.1 M CuSO4 solution.

Data:

A. Measurement of Cell Potentials

Galvanic Measured Equation for Equation for
cell potential Anode anode reaction Cathode cathode reaction

B. Concentration Effects
Galvanic Cell Voltage reading 1 Voltage reading 2 Average

References:
Beran, J.A. (2011). Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry, 9 th edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chang, Raymund (2010). Chemistry, 10th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Williamson, V. , Peck, L. (2009). Experiments in General Chemistry: Inquiry and Skill Building. Brooks/Cole,
Cengage Learning
http://www.instruction.greenriver.edu/kmarr/