Electrochemistry and Redox Reactions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to electrochemistry and redox reactions.

Electrochemistry

The study of chemical reactions that can produce electricity or use electricity to produce desired products.

Redox Reaction

A chemical reaction that involves the transfer of electrons between two species, consisting of oxidation and reduction processes.

Oxidation

A process in which a substance loses electrons and increases its oxidation state.

Reduction

A process in which a substance gains electrons and decreases its oxidation state.

Oxidizing Agent

The substance that accepts electrons and gets reduced in a redox reaction.

Reducing Agent

The substance that donates electrons and gets oxidized in a redox reaction.

Galvanic Cell

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

Cathode

The electrode where reduction occurs in an electrochemical cell.

Anode

The electrode where oxidation occurs in an electrochemical cell.

Salt Bridge

A device that allows the flow of ions between two half-cells while preventing the mixing of different solutions.

Nernst Equation

An equation that relates the cell potential to the concentrations of the reactants and products.

Standard Reduction Potential (E°)

The tendency of a substance to gain electrons, measured under standard conditions.

Electrolysis

A process that uses an electric current to drive a nonspontaneous chemical reaction.

Cell Potential (E_cell)

The maximum voltage that a given electrochemical cell can generate.

Faraday's Law

A law stating that the amount of substance produced at an electrode during electrolysis is directly proportional to the total electric charge passed through the cell.

Electroplating

The process of depositing a layer of metal onto a surface via electrolysis.

Corrosion

The gradual destruction of materials, often metals, by chemical reaction with environmental agents.

Cathodic Protection

A method to prevent corrosion by making the metal to be protected the cathode of an electrochemical cell.