The Voltaic Cell

The Voltaic Cell

 There are two types of electric cells, the
electrolytic cell and the voltaic or chemical cell.
 In the electrolytic cell, a chemical reaction
occurs when electricity passes through it. That
is, electrical energy is converted into chemical
energy.
 In a voltaic cell, however, an electric current is
produced when a chemical reaction occurs.
That is, chemical energy is converted into
electrical energy, as in dry cells or batteries.
 A SIMPLE VOLTAIC CELL

 If two different types of metal are

immersed into a salt solution, a chemical
reaction occurs and a voltaic cell is
obtained.
 The two metals should have different
positions in the Electrochemical Series.
 If two metals are immersed in a salt
solution, the more reactive of the two
becomes the negative terminal (anode) as
it donates electrons more readily than the
other metal. The positive terminal
 Electrons donated by the metal move from
the negative terminal to positive terminal,
resulting in a flow of electric current in the
opposite direction.
 An example of a voltaic cell is where a zinc
plate and a copper plate are immersed in a
solution of copper(II) sulphate.
 voltmeter

e-
e-
V

e-
e-

- +
Cu
Zn

CuSO4 solution
 The deflection of the galvanometer needle
shows that electric current is passing through.
Zinc becomes the negative terminal of the cell
when the metal donates electrons. It is the
anode.
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
 Copper acts as the positive terminal when it
receives electrons and Cu2+ ions are converted
into Cu. It is the cathode.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
The overall reaction occuring in the cell is:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
 Daniell Cell
This is another example of a simple voltaic
cell. It consists of two metals immersed
separately in aqueous solutions containing
the ions of each metal.
e-
V

-
+ Zn plate
Salt bridge
Cu Plate

CuSO4 solution
Figure 1(a) ZnSO4 solution
 e
V
-
+
-
+ Zn
Porous pot
Cu
ZnSO4 solution
CuSO4 solution

Figure 1(b)

In Figure 1(a), the two salt solutions are connected

by a salt bridge, containing potassium chloride. In
Figure 1(b), a porous pot is used to replace the salt
bridge.
 The functioning of the porous pot are:
To separate copper(II) sulphate solution from zinc
sulphate solution (the two electrolytes)
To allow the electrons and ions to flow through it,
thereby connection the circuit.
 As zinc is more reactive than copper, zinc
becomes the negative terminal. It donates
electron to become Zn2+ ions.
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
At the positive terminal, Cu2+ ions the
copper(II) sulphate solution accept 2
electrons to form copper.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
 The overall reaction is:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
 The negative terminal (Zn) contains more
electrons than the positive (Cu) because
electrons are being released by Zn and used
up by Cu. Therefore electrons flow from the
negative terminal to the positive terminal.
 This process occurs because zinc is more
electropositive than copper. It tends to
donate electrons while Cu2+ ions tends to
receive electrons.
 The voltaic cell cell is represented by the following
equation:
Zn(s) / Zn2+(aq) || Cu2+(aq) / Cu(s)
The more electropositive metal and its product are
written on the left, while the less electropositive ions and
product are written on the right.
Other metallic pairs can also be used to produce voltaic
cells. For example:

 Mg(s) / Mg2+(aq) || Pb2+(aq) / Pb(s)

 The magnesium/lead cell has Mg immersed in

magnesium nitrate, Mg(NO3)2, solution, while Pb is
immersed in plumbum nitrate, Pb(NO3)2, solution.
Magnesium, being more electropositive, becomes the
negative terminal.
 Mg(s) Mg2+(aq) + 2e-

At the positive terminal, Pb2+ are discharged:

Pb2+(aq) + 2e- Pb(s)
TYPES OF VOLTAIC CELLS
There are two types of voltaic cells:
Primary cells, which cannot be recharge
Secondary cells, which can be recharged

Primary Cells Secondary Cells

 PRIMARY
CELLS
These are chemical cells which cannot be
recharged. They include Daniell Cell, dry
cell, alkaline cell and mercury cell.
These cells cannot be used again once its
chemical substances are used up.
Primary cells store the chemical
substances which react to produce an
electric current.
 Metal cover
+
Zinc casing

Carbon rod

Mixture of carbon powder

and manganese (IV) oxide

Ammonium
chloride
_
Figure 2(a)
Dry Cell
Dry Cell
The positive terminal of a dry cell is a carbon
rod, while the negative terminal is the zinc
casing around the cell.
The electrolyte includes a mixture of
magnesium (IV) oxide and carbon powder,
surrounded by ammonium chloride powder.
The chemical reaction which takes place are:
At the negative terminal, Zn:
Zn (s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
Zn2+ ions, which form when Zn donates electrons,
dissolve in the electrolyte.
 At the positive terminal (carbon)
NH+4 ions are discharged. They receive electrons
to form two gases, ammonia and hydrogen.
2NH+4(aq) 2NH3(g) + H2(g)
The hydrogen, which results in this reaction,
reacts with manganese (IV) oxide as follows:
2MnO2(s) + H2(g) Mn2O3(g) + H2O(l)
Overall reaction
Zn (s) + 2MnO2(s) + 2NH+4(aq) Zn2+(aq) +
Mn2O3(s) + 2NH3(g) + H2O(l)
Carbon powder is used to increase the surface
area of the carbon electrode and manganese
(IV) oxide reduces the formation of gas
bubbles.
 Steel cover

Zn powder (-)
metal rod
Magnesium (IV)
oxide (+)

Steel casing
Potassium
hydroxide

Figure 2(b)
Alkaline cell
Alkaline Cell
Sodium hydroxide or potassium paste is used as
the electrolyte.
The negative terminal is made up of zinc powder.
The manganese (IV) oxide mixed with carbon
powder serves as the positive terminal.
A metal rod in the centre acts as an inactive
electrode which receives electrons.
Equation:
At the negative terminal:
Zn (s) + 2OH-(aq) Zn(OH)2 + 2e-
At the positive terminal:
2MnO2(s) + H2O(l) + 2e- Mn2O3(s) +2OH-(aq)
Overall reaction
Zn(s) + 2MnO2(s) + H2O(l) Zn(OH)2(s) + Mn2O3(s)
 Zinc casing Mercury (II)
oxide
solution

insulator

Potassium
hydroxide
(electrolyte)
Zinc powder
in hydroxide

Figure 2(c)
Mercury cell
Mercury cell
The mercury cell is used mostly in calculators,
wrist watches, cameras and other devices.
The negative terminal is made up of zinc. The
positive terminal is made up of mercury (II)
oxide, HgO. The electrolyte is a mixture of
potassium hydroxide and zinc oxide
Equations:
At the negative terminal:
Zn (s) + 2OH-(aq) Zn(OH)2(aq) + 2e-
At the positive terminal:
HgO (s) + H2O(l) + 2e- Hg(l) + 2OH-(aq)
Overall reaction:
Zn (s) + HgO (s) + H2O(l) Zn(OH)2(aq) + Hg (l)
 SECONDARY
CELLS
The lead-acid accumulator and the nickel-
cadmium cell are examples of secondary
cells, which can be recharged.
It is recharged after it has discharged all
charges from it.
 Lead plate coated with PbO2

(-) (+)

Concentrated
sulphuric acid
Figure 2(d)
Lead-acid accumulator
Lead-acid Accumulator
This secondary cell is also called the car battery
as it is used in cars and other vehicles.
A reversible chemical reaction takes place in
the lead-acid accumulator.
The negative terminal is a lead plate that is
immersed in a concentrated solution of
sulphuric acid, 5M.
The positive terminal is a lead plate coated with
a layer of brown lead(IV) oxide.
The accumulator consists of several such cells
which are connected in series.
Reactions during discharge:
At the negative terminal:
The lead electrode dissolves to form Pb2+ ions:

Pb (s) Pb2+(aq) + 2e-

At the positive terminal:

PbO2 at the positive terminal receives electrons and

reacts with hydrogen ions to form lead ions and water,
as in:
PbO2(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- Pb2+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
During the production of an electric current, the Pb2+
ions witch forms at the terminal react with SO42- ions
in sulphuric acid to form a layer of white lead (II)
sulphate around the electrodes.
Pb2+(aq) + So2-4(aq) PbSO4(s)
 When the accumulator is being used to produce
electricity, the quantity of acid decreases and more
water is formed. This means that the concentration of
sulphuric acid decreases as the accumulator is used.
Therefore, it should be recharged when the sulphuric
acid becomes too dilute for further reaction.
Reaction during recharge of cell
The accumulator is recharged by passing through an
electric current in the opposite direction, that is,
electrolysis is carried out to convert lead(II) sulphate
dissolves. Sulphuric acid is formed again.
At the negative terminal
Pb2+(aq) + 2e- Pb(s)
At the positive terminal
Pb2+(aq) + 2H2O(l) PbO2(s) + 4H+(aq) +2e-
PbSO4(s) Pb2+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
Nickel-Cadmium Cell
 Cadmium acts as the negative terminal and
nickel (IV) oxide, NiO2 as the positive terminal.
The electrolyte here is potassium chloride
 The chemical reactions are:
Negative terminal:
Cd (s) + 2OH-(aq) Cd(OH)2(s) +2e-
Positiveterminal:
NiO2(s) + 2H2O(l) + 2e- Ni(OH)2(s) + Ni(OH)2(s)
Overall reaction
Cd (s) +NiO2(s) + 2H2O(l) Cd(OH)2(s) + Ni(OH)2(s)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Various
Voltaic Cells
Cell Advantages Disadvantages
Daniell Cell Easily set up in the laboratory Wet cell – electrolyte easily
split
Voltage cannot last

Dry Cell No spillage Does not last

Small in size
Easily carried about
Produces regular current and
voltage
Obtained in different sizes
Cannot be recharged
Leakage can occur if cell
cannot be used anymore

Alkaline Cell Lasts longer than dry cell (x10) Leakage occurs if cell is
Produces a higher and more not used anymore
regular current Expensive
Cannot be recharge

Mercury Cell Small in size Very expensive

Produces regular current for a Cannot be recharged
longer period of time Mercury produced is
Lasts a long time poisonous
 Cell Advantages Disadvantages
Lead-acid Can be recharged Spillage of acid can
Produces a high voltage (12 occur
Accumulator
V) for a long period Big in size
Produce a high current (175 Heavy, difficult to be
A) suitable for heavy duty carried about
Expensive
Loses charge if not used
for long
Nickel- Can be recharged up to 500 Expensive

cadmium cell times Lower power density

No spillage Transformer needed for
Long – lasting (15 - 20 years) recharging cell
Smaller than accumulator –
portable
 Comparison between the
Electrolytic Cell and Voltaic
Cell
Similarities

•Consists of an anode and a cathode / a positive

terminal and a negative terminal
•Contains an electrolyte
•Chemical reactions involves donating or receiving
electrons
•Positive and negative ions move to the electrodes in
the electrolyte
•Electrons move from the anode to the cathode
ELeCTrOLyTiC CeLL
•Electrical energy → chemical energy
•Electric current produces chemical reaction
•Negative terminal – cathode
•Positive terminal – anode Differences
•Electrons flow from anode (+) to cathode (-)
•At the cathode (-), cations receive electrons
•At the anode (+), anions release electrons
•Carbon or different/same metal strips are used as electrodes

VoLTaiC CeLL
•Chemical energy → electrical energy
•Chemical reaction produces electric current
•Negative terminal – anode
•Positive terminal – cathode
•Electrons flow from negative terminal (-) to positive terminal (+)
•At the negative terminal (-), electrons are released
•At the positive terminal (+), electrons are accepted
•2 differents metals are used as electrons
The End