Exer 10 Full Report

Ma. Elaine S.
Visco October 17, 2019
50L October 25, 2019
Group 1
EXER 10: VOLTAIC CELL AND ELECTROLYSIS
I. Introduction
 Definition of voltaic cell – principles and Nernst equation
The voltaic cell (or galvanic cell) is known to be an electrochemical cell that uses
chemical reactions to produce electrical energy. The voltaic cell (or galvanic cell) have important
parts in order to function. These parts can be seen in the figure (Figure 10.1.) below: anode,
cathode, salt bridge, half cells (reduction and oxidation), external circuit, and load. Anode is the
electrode where oxidation occurs while cathode is the electrode where reduction occurs.
Another part of the voltaic cell is the salt bridge, which is a chamber of electrolyte that is
necessary to complete the circuit in the voltaic cell (ChemPages Netorial).
Figure 10.1. Voltaic Cell

Image source:
(https://www.chem.wisc.edu/deptfiles/genchem/netorial/rottosen/tutorial/modules/electrochemist
ry/03voltaic_cells/18_31.htm)
 Use of standard reduction potential table in identifying oxidation half reaction and
reduction half reaction. Why is it called standard reduction potential table and what
are the conditions?
 Overall balanced reaction for voltaic cell
 Definition of electrochemical cell – principle of electrolysis and Faraday’s Law
 Half reactions involved in electrolysis
 Overall balanced reaction for electrolysis
 Objectives of the experiment in paragraph form
II. Materials
A. Reagents
1.0M and 0.5M Fe(NO3)3 CuSO4
1.0M and 0.5M Cu(NO3)2
B. Apparatus
Salt bridge (KCl) Voltmeter
Digital Multimeter Brass electrode
Copper electrode 250mL Beaker
III. Procedure
For the experiment on the construction of a galvanic cell, 50mL each of 1.0 M Fe(NO3)3
and 0.5M Cu(NO3)2 solutions was placed in two separate 100-mL beakers. The Fe electrode
was dipped into the Fe(NO3)3 solution and the Cu electrode was dipped into the Cu(NO3)2
solution and were connected by a salt bridge containing saturated KCl. It was made sure
that one end of the salt bridge was dipped into the Fe(NO3)3 solution and that the other end
was dipped into the Cu(NO3)2. The Fe electrode was connected to the negative terminal of
the voltmeter while the Cu electrode was connected to the positive terminal. The cell was
allowed to stand for 5 minutes and the cell potential and temperature of the solutions were
read. The procedure was repeated as described using 0.5 M Fe(NO3)3 and 1.0 M Cu(NO3)2.
Figure 10.2.
Figure 10.3.
After experimenting on the galvanic cell, the experiment on electrolysis was conducted
starting with determining and recording the masses of each electrode. The negative lead
(black) was connected to the brass electrode while the positive lead (red) was connected to
copper electrode. Both the leads were connected to its corresponding outlet of the power
supply. The leads were not positioned with the electrodes in the beaker during that time. 100
mL of CuSO4 electrolyte solution was approximately added to the empty 250 mL beaker. The
electrodes in the electrolyte solution, was placed and was made sure that the electrodes do
not touch one another and that the alligator clips were not immersed in the solution. The
current was read after 15 minutes. The power supply was turned off and the electrodes from
the solution were removed. The electrodes were heated using a evaporating dish and after
that, the mass of each electrode was measured and recorded. After conducting the
experiment, the KCl waste solutions were diluted with tap water and were flushed down the
drain with ample amount of water. The rest of the solutions were disposed in the D499
waste bottle.
Figure 10.4.
Figure 10.5.
IV. Data/Observations
Table 10.1. Determination of percent error in the constructed voltaic cell

Parameter 1.0 M Fe(NO3)3 + 0.5 M 0.5 Fe(NO3)3 + 1.0 M
Cu(NO3)2 Cu(NO3)2
o o
Temperature, C 30 C 30oC
Experimental Cell Potential, V 0.44 0.39
Theoretical Cell Potential, V 0.37 0.39
Percent Error, % 18.62 1.03
Table 10.2. Data on the electrolysis of copper

On the next page:
(cont.) Table 10.2.
Parameter Value
Current, A 0.70
Time, sec 500 seconds
Initial Mass of Brass Electrode, g 2.10
Final Mass of Brass Electrode, g 2.18
Mass deposited, g
V. Discussion
Voltaic cell
 Comprehensive discussion of voltaic cell including function of each part.
As explained in the previous discussion, voltaic
 Half reactions involved and explanation. Reiterate overall reaction and interpret the
reaction. Mention the Eocell for the reaction and the implication of it.
 What half reaction takes place in the cathode? In the anode? Which electrode is the
cathode and the anode?
 Theoretical cell potential vs experimental cell potential
For the answers of the postlab questions from 1-3:
1. Write the oxidation and reduction half reactions and the overall reaction that takes place
in voltaic cell.
OHR: Fe(s)  Fe3+(aq) + 3e-
RHR: Cu2+(aq) + 2e-  Cu(s)
Overall reaction: 2Fe(s) + 3Cu2+(aq)  2Fe3+(aq) + 3Cu(s)
2. Calculate the theoretical potential using Nernst Equation and compare it to the
experimental cell potential, calculate percent error and cite possible sources of error.
R T [ product ]
E=Eocell − ln o o o
; Ecell =E¿ + E ox
nF [reactant]
E
3. Make an inference about the effect of concentration on the cell potential. What
happened to the cell potential when the concentration of the catholyte is decreased?
What happened to the cell potential when the concentration of the anolyte is decreased?
 Other possible sources of error

Possible sources of error could be a misinterpretation between the cathode and anode
and which will be connected to which. Another source of error, is that the obtained values
indicated that there was a difference from the obtained theoretical value resulting it to a high
percentage error. In terms of polishness, there could be a chance that the electrodes used
were not polished thoroughly and which led to the impurities in the cell that could have
decreased the current obtained in the experiment.
Electrolysis
 Comprehensive discussion of electrolytic cell including function of each part.
 Mention electroplating and definition.
 Half reactions involved and explanation. Reiterate overall reaction and interpret the
reaction. Mention the Eocell for the reaction and the implication of it.
 What half reaction takes place in the cathode? In the anode? Which electrode is the
cathode and the anode?
 Theoretical mass deposited vs experimental
 Answers to postlab questions 4-6 (question 7 should no longer be answered)
 Other possible sources of error
Include suggestion on how to improve the exercise.
Notes on the formula:

 1 V = 1 J/C
 n (no. of e-) has no unit
 unit of Faraday's constant is C/mol
 1 A = 1 C/sec
VI. Conclusion (include brief summary of the procedure done and the results, important
points, trends, principles/theory of the exercise and sources of error.)
VII. Literature Cited/ Bibliography (APA format for citation and listing of references
should be used. Use at least 3 books (or e-books) or journal articles as
reference)
Voltaic Cell. Retrieved October 22, 2019, from

https://www.chem.wisc.edu/deptfiles/genchem/netorial/rottosen/tutorial/modules/electrochemistr
y/03voltaic_cells/18_31.htm.
VIII. Sample Calculations
Voltaic Cell:
1. Temp (in K) = ℃ +273.15
o o o
2. Ecell =E¿ + E ox (red = reduction; ox = oxidation)
o RT [ product ]
3. E=Ecell − ln .
nF [reactant]
experimental value−theoretical value

4. % error= x 100
theoretical value
Electrolysis:
o o o
5. Ecell =E¿ + E ox
MIt
6. mass deposited =
nF
experimental value−theoretical value

7. % error= x 100
theoretical v alue

Exer 10 Full Report

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exer 10 Full Report

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Exer 10 Full Report

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ma. Elaine S.

Visco October 17, 2019

50L October 25, 2019

EXER 10: VOLTAIC CELL AND ELECTROLYSIS

Figure 10.1. Voltaic Cell

Table 10.1. Determination of percent error in the constructed voltaic cell

Table 10.2. Data on the electrolysis of copper

Time, sec 500 seconds

Initial Mass of Brass Electrode, g 2.10

Final Mass of Brass Electrode, g 2.18

 Other possible sources of error

Notes on the formula:

Voltaic Cell. Retrieved October 22, 2019, from

experimental value−theoretical value

experimental value−theoretical value

You might also like