Galvanic Cells

How does a galvanic cell link the reduction and oxidation half reactions?

A galvanic cell connects the reduction and oxidation half-reactions through a circuit to generate a flow of electrical energy.

Where does reduction and oxidation occur in a galvanic cell?

Reduction occurs at the positive electrode, called the cathode. Oxidation occurs at the negative electrode, called the anode.

How do negative ions in the salt bridge continue the flow of electricity in the cell?

Negative ions from the salt bridge move towards the anode half-cell to balance the positive ions that move into the solution from the metal electrode as it undergoes oxidation.

How do positive ions in the salt bridge continue the flow of electricity in the cell?

Positive ions from the salt bridge move towards the positive cathode half-cell to replace the positive ions that plate as a metal onto the cathode as it undergoes reduction

how do galvanic cells generate electricity?

they generate an electric potential difference from a spontaneous redox reaction

How can galvanic cells be represented visually?

represented as cell diagrams, with anode and cathode half equations

where does oxidation and reduction occur in a galvanic cell?

Reduction at the cathode, oxidation at the anode, REDCAT

what do two half cells need to be connected by to become a galvanic cell?

A salt bridge so that cations from the salt bridge travel to the cathode and anions from the salt bridge travel to the anode

In a galvanic cell with Zn and Cu^2+ with KNO3 as a salt bridge, what is at the cathode?

Copper because it has a higher reduction potential than Zn meaning it is easier to reduce REDCAT, ANOX

In a galvanic cell with Zn and Cu^2+ with KNO3 as a salt bridge, what is at the anode?

Zinc because it has a lower reduction potential than Cu and is therefore harder to reduce, REDCAT ANOX

In a galvanic cell with Zn and Cu^2+ with KNO3 as a salt bridge, where do the K+ ions from the salt bridge move to?

cation because they are positively charged, meaning that they will migrate towards the negatively charged reduction ions in solution at the cathode

In a galvanic cell with Zn and Cu^2+ with KNO3 as a salt bridge, where do the NO3- ions from the salt bridge move to?

anion because they are negatively charged, meaning they migrate to the positively charged oxidation ions in solution at the anode