Electrochemistry Flashcards
What are anodes?
Electrodes that electrons flow from
What are cathodes?
Electrodes that electrons flow into
What are anions?
Negatively charged ions
What are cations?
Positively charged ions
What is a standard half cell?
Defines the oxidisation/reduction capabilities of substances quantitatively
What is a strong oxidising agent?
A substance that brings about oxidation by being reduced and gaining electrons. They will have a large positive E value.
What is a strong reducing agent?
A substance that brings about reduction by being oxidised and losing electrons. They will have a large negative E value.
What is the trend in tendency to gain electrons?
The more positive the E value, the more likely the substance will gain electrons
What does a galvanic cell use?
a spontaneous redox reaction to produce electricity
What are salt bridges used for in a galvanic cell?
They connect two compartments chemically and help to maintain neutrality in the separate compartments to prevent ion migration.
They also complete the circuit to make a galvanic cell into an electrochemical cell.
What happens in an electrolytic cell?
A current is imposed on a system to drive a non-spontaneous redox reaction.
What is the use of a battery in an electrolytic cell?
Produces a current and acts as an electron pump.
What half reaction occurs at the cathode?
A reduction, requiring electrons
What half reaction occurs at the anode?
An oxidation, producing electrons
What does faraday’s law describe?
The relationship between the amount of elements disposited or gas liberated at an electrode due to current.
