Voltaic and Electrolytic Cells Review Items

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental components, mnemonics, and processes related to voltaic and electrolytic cells as discussed in the lecture notes.

AN OX

A mnemonic used to remember that oxidation always occurs at the anode in an electrochemical cell.

RED CAT

A mnemonic used to remember that reduction always occurs at the cathode in an electrochemical cell.

Voltaic Cell

A type of electrochemical cell that uses a spontaneous redox reaction to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, functioning as a battery.

Electrolytic Cell

A type of electrochemical cell that requires an outside energy source (a battery) to drive a non-spontaneous redox reaction.

Salt Bridge

A component of a voltaic cell used to allow the flow of ions and maintain electrical neutrality between two separate containers.

Anode (Voltaic)

The negative electrode where oxidation takes place; its mass decreases during the reaction.

Cathode (Voltaic)

The positive electrode where reduction takes place; its mass increases during the reaction.

Anode (Electrolytic)

The positive electrode, which is attached to the positive end of the battery.

Cathode (Electrolytic)

The negative electrode, which is attached to the negative end of the battery and is the site of reduction.

Electron Flow

The movement of electrons through a wire in an electrochemical cell, which always goes from the anode to the cathode.

Oxidation

A process involving the loss of electrons, which results in an increase in the oxidation number.

Reduction

A process involving the gain of electrons, which results in a decrease in the oxidation number.

Electroplating

An electrolytic process where a metal (such as copper or nickel) is deposited onto an object (like a spoon or key) at the cathode.

Oxidation number of $N_2$

The oxidation number of nitrogen in its elemental form, which is $0$.

Oxidation number of Chlorine in $HClO_4$

The calculated oxidation state of chlorine in this compound is $+7$.

Table J

The reference table used to determine the relative activity of metals to identify which will act as the anode or cathode in a voltaic cell.

Voltmeter

A device used in a voltaic cell to measure the electrical potential or voltage generated by the chemical reaction.

Non-spontaneous reaction

A reaction that requires an input of electrical energy to occur, specifically characteristic of electrolytic cells.