Chapter 5 Galvanic cells Flashcards
Accumulator
A secondary electrochemical cell
Alkaline cell
A commercial electrochemical cell with an alkaline electrolyte that is a moist paste rather than a solution
Anode
Electrode where oxidation reaction occurs
Battery
A combination of cells connected in series
Battery Capacity
The maximum amount of energy available under certain specific conditions. It is determined by the amount of reactants contained in the battery.
Battery life
A measure of the performance of a battery. It can be the time the battery operates in a device following a full charge or the number of charge-discharge cycles before the battery becomes unusable.
Electrochemical cell
A device that converts chemical E into electrical E or vice versa.
Electrochemical series
A list of half-equations, written as reduction rxn, arranged in order so that the strongest oxidising agents are at the top, left-hand-side of the list
Electrode
A (usually) solid conductor in a half-cell at which oxidation or reduction rxn occurs. (a material that has delocalised e- that can move through the circuit)
Electrolyte
A chemical substance which conducts electric current as a result of dissociation into positively and negatively charged ions, which migrate to the negative and positive terminals of the electric circuit.
Electromotive force
The electrical pressure between two points in a circuit, such as the electrodes of an electrochemical cell; a measure of the E given to electrons in a circuit.
Electronegative
A measure of the ability of an atom of an element to attract e-.
External circuit
The section of an electrochemical cell in which e- move. This section includes the wires attached to the electrode.
Galvanic cell
Also known as a voltaic cell, converts chemical to electrical E
Galvanometer
An instrument for detecting electric current
Half cell
Half an electrochemical cell which contains the oxidant and its conjugate reductant. When two half-cells are combined, a galvanic cell is formed.
Half Equation
A balanced chemical eqxn which shows the loss or gain of e- by a species during oxidation or reduction
Inert Electrode
An electrode which is not consumed by the rxn occurring at the electrode. The electrode serves only as a conductor of e-. Precious metals and carbon are typically used as inert electrodes.
Internal circuit
The section of an electrochemical cell in which ions move e.g., solutions and salt bridge.
Lithium-ion cell
A galvanic cell which generates electricity from the oxidation of lithium embedded in the lattice structure of a graphite rod and the reduction of a metal oxide. The reduction product combines with the lithium ion.
Non-Rechargeable cell
primary cell
Volt
The Unit of potential difference. One volt is defined as one joule per coulomb of charge.
Voltmeter
An instrument for measuring electrical potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit.
Cathode
Electrode at which reduction occurs
