Galvanic Cells and Redox Reactions

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to galvanic cells, spontaneous reactions, and redox processes.

Spontaneous Reaction

A chemical reaction that occurs without the input of external energy.

Galvanic Cell

An electrochemical cell that derives electrical energy from spontaneous redox reactions.

Oxidation

The process of losing electrons during a chemical reaction.

Reduction

The process of gaining electrons during a chemical reaction.

Anode

The electrode at which oxidation occurs in an electrochemical cell.

Cathode

The electrode at which reduction occurs in an electrochemical cell.

Salt Bridge

A device filled with an inert electrolyte that connects two half-cells in an electrochemical cell.

Cell Notation

Abbreviated representation of a galvanic cell's composition and structure using chemical formulas.

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between two species, resulting in oxidation and reduction.

Electrode

A conductor through which electric current enters or leaves an electrochemical cell.

Half-Cell

A single half of a galvanic cell, containing an electrode and an electrolyte.

Copper(II) Ions

Cu2+ ions formed when elemental copper oxidizes.

Silver(I) Ions

Ag+ ions that are reduced to form elemental silver in a galvanic cell.

Chemical Formula

A way of presenting information about the chemical proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound.

Electron Flow

The movement of electrons from the anode to the cathode in an electrochemical cell.

Active Electrode

An electrode that participates in the redox reaction within a galvanic cell.