19: Simple Chemical Cells Flashcards
What is the overall equation of the reaction between zinc metal and copper(II) sulphate solution?
Zn (s) + Cu2+ (aq) -> Zn2+ (aq) + Cu (s)
What are the half equations of the reaction between zinc metal and copper(II) sulphate solution?
Zn (s) -> Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- -> Cu (s)
What is the definition of a diode?
A diode is an electronic component that only allows electrons to flow in one direction.
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the half equation at the end of the zinc metal?
Zn (s) -> Zn2+ (aq) + 2e-
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the path followed by the electrons?
The electros flow from the zinc strip in the external circuit to the copper strip, where they are gained by copper(II) ions to form copper atoms.
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the positive electrode?
Copper strip
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the negative electrode?
Zinc strip
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the electrolyte?
Copper(II) sulphate solution
A strip of zinc metal is joined with an LED and a strip of copper metal, with both metals dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution.
What is the expected result?
The LED lights up.
The mass of the zinc strip decreases while that of the copper strip increases.
What is the difference between the path of the electrons and that of ions in a chemical cell?
Electrons only flow in the external circuit while ions flow in the electrolyte.
What is the electrolyte in a lemon cell?
Lemon juice
A strip of zinc electrode is dipped into zinc sulphate solution, connected to a multimeter, and a copper electrode dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution by a wire.
What is the expected result and why?
There is a voltage, but it drops to zero quickly. The side containing the zinc metal becomes more positive and the side containing the copper metal becomes more negative. Due to the accumulation of charges, the reaction cannot proceed.
A strip of zinc electrode is dipped into zinc sulphate solution, connected to a multimeter, and a copper electrode dipped into copper(II) sulphate solution by a wire.
How can the circuit be completed?
Using a salt bridge which is dipped into the two solutions.
How is a salt bridge prepared?
A salt bridge is made from a strip of filter paper soaked in an electrolyte, usually potassium nitrate solution.
Why is potassium nitrate solution used to prepare salt bridges?
Potassium ions and nitrate ions do not react with the other ions in the solutions or with the electrodes.