Grade 12 chemistry - Electrochemical cells

Half-cell

An electrode and an electrolyte that form half of a complete cell

Electrode

A solid electrical conductor

Cell

A system in which two connected electrodes are in contact with an electrolyte

Salt bridge

A tube that contains an electrolyte solution and connects the two half-cells in a galvanic cell

Galvanic cell

An arrangement of two connected half-cells that spontaneously produces electric current

Anode

The electrode where oxidation occurs

Cathode

The electrode where reduction occurs

Cell potential

The electric potential difference (voltage) between the two half-cells in a galvanic cell; the SI unit is the volt, and the unit symbol is V ( 1 V = 1 J/C)

Standard cell

A galvanic cell in which all the entities involved in the half-cell reactions are at SATP and the solutions have a concentration of 1.0 mol/L

Standard cell potential

The electric potential difference or a galvanic cell that is operating under standard conditions

Standard reduction potential

The ability of a half-cell that is operating under standard conditions

Standard hydrogen half-cell

The galvanic cell from which all the half-cell potentials are determine

Battery

A group of two or more galvanic cells connected in series

Primary cell

A cell that cannot be recharged

Secondary cell

A cell that can be recharged by being attached to an external source of electrical energy; recharging reverses the chemical reaction that generates the electrical energy

Fuel cell

A galvanic cell for which the reactants are continuously supplied

Corrosion

The deterioration of metal by a redox reaction

Galvanizing

The process in which steel is coat d with a thin layer of zinc to protect the steel from corrosion

Cathodic protection

A form of corrosion prevention in which electrons are continually supplied to the metal that is being protected, making the metal a cathode

Sacrificial anode

A form of cathodic protection in which the oxidation of a more active metal that is attached to the steel prevents the iron in the steel from being oxidized

Impressed current

A form of cathodic protection in which electrons from a DC power source are pumped into the metal that is being protected

Electrolytic cell

A cell that uses electrical energy to produce a chemical change that would not occur spontaneously

Electrolysis

The application of current through a cell to produce a chemical change

Electrochemical cell

A general term that is used to refer to both a galvanic cell and an electrolytic cell