Comparison

Question 1

What is the difference in spontaneity?

Answer 1

Electrochemical cells:
Usually spontaneous

Electrolytic cells:
Usually non-spontaneous

Question 2

What is the difference in energy?

Answer 2

Electrochemical cells:
Don’t need an energy supply as the cells produce their own energy

Electrolytic cells:
Need an electrical energy supple to start the reaction and force the electrons to transfer

Question 3

What is the difference in conversion of energy?

Answer 3

Electrochemical cells:
Convert chemical energy to electrical energy (measured by a voltmeter) so can be called a voltaic cell

Electrolytic cells:
Convert electrical energy to chemical energy

Question 4

What is the difference in the set up?

Answer 4

Electrochemical cells:
2 half cells in separate containers connected through a salt bridge

Electrolytic cells:
1 cell with both electrodes in the same container of solution (electrolyte)

Question 5

What is the difference between the anode and cathode?

Answer 5

Electrochemical cells:
Anode is negative (electrons are lost/produced)
Cathode is positive (electrons are attracted)

Electrolytic cells:
Anode is positive (attracts anions)
Cathode is negative (attracts cations)

Question 6

What is the difference in the supply of electrons?

Answer 6

Electrochemical cells:
The species getting oxidised supply the electrons which move from the anode (-) to the cathode (+) through the external circuit

Electrolytic cells:
The external battery supplies the electrons which comes out from the anode (+) and enter through the cathode (_)

Question 7

What is a similarity for oxidation and reduction?

Answer 7

Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode