Electrochemical cells

[Nicole Pablico]

What are some common types of electrochemical cells, such as voltaic cells and electrolytic cells, and how do they differ from each other?

[Ava Ward 1K]

So the main ones that we cover in this class are galvanic/voltaic and electrolytic. Galvanic cells are always flowing from anode to cathode which makes the standard cell potential positive. However for electrolytic cells, it is the opposite and it is going from cathode to anode, usually making the standard cell potential negative. This is because electrolytic cells are usually powered by batteries to push the reaction the opposite current.

[Ava Ward 1K]

So the main ones that we cover in this class are galvanic/voltaic and electrolytic. Galvanic cells are always flowing from anode to cathode which makes the standard cell potential positive. However for electrolytic cells, it is the opposite and it is going from cathode to anode, usually making the standard cell potential negative. This is because electrolytic cells are usually powered by batteries to push the reaction the opposite current.

[Vincent Tran 3B]

Just read about this. Two common types of electrochemical cells are voltaic cells and electrolytic cells. A voltaic cell, also known as a galvanic cell, converts chemical energy into electrical energy by spontaneous redox reactions that occur within the cell. In contrast, an electrolytic cell uses an external power source to drive a non-spontaneous redox reaction to produce a chemical change. While voltaic cells are used to produce electrical energy, electrolytic cells are used for electroplating, metal refining, and the production of chemicals. In both types of cells, electrons flow through an external circuit and ions flow through a salt bridge or porous membrane to maintain charge neutrality within the cell.

[105719095]

There are two types of electrochemical cells. There are galvanic cells, also known as voltaic cells, and electrolytic cells. Galvanic cells gets its energy from spontaneous redox reactions, while electrolytic involve nonspontaneous reactions and require an outside electron source like a battery or AC power source to power the reaction. In the galvanic cell, the anode, where oxidation occurs, is the plus end and the cathode, where reduction occurs, is the minus end. However, in a electrolytic cell, anode is the minus and cathode is the plus.

[Ananya_2L]

Hello,

As you mentioned, the two common types of electrochemical cells are voltaic cells and electrolytic cells.

Voltaic cells are also known as galvanic cells. This cell type converts chemical energy into electrical energy. This process comprises 2 different types of metals placed in separated beakers, connected by a salt bridge or porous membrane. Each compartment contains an electrolyte solution. There are 2 electrodes: Anode (where oxidation occurs) and Cathod (where reduction occurs). The electron flows through an external circuit, from the anode to the cathode and this creates an electric current.

Electrolytic cells, on the other hand, use electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. In this, an external source of electrical energy (like a battery) is used to drive a redox reaction in the opposite direction to that which occurs spontaneously in a voltaic cell. There’s an anode (where oxidation occurs) and a cathode (where reduction occurs). This cell contains an electrolyte solution, wherein the ions are reduced or oxidized at the electrodes. Again, the electrons flow from an external circuit from the anode to the cathode, and the electrolyte solution is gradually transformed as a result of the applied voltage.

A key difference between the two is the flow of electrons. In voltaic cells, electrons flow spontaneously from the anode to the cathode, generating electrical energy. On the other hand, in electrolytic cells, electrons are forced to flow from anode to cathode, due to an external electrical source, hence energy is not generated but required. Also Voltaic: Anode is negative and Cathode is positive, but Electrolytic, Anode is positive and Cathode is negative.

Hope this helps!

[LianaHernandez1F]

The two things we mostly discuss in this class are electrolytic and galvanic/voltaic. The typical cell potential is positive because galvanic cells are always flowing from anode to cathode. In contrast, the flow in electrolytic cells is from cathode to anode, which typically results in a negative standard cell potential. This is so that the reaction's opposite current can be driven because electrolytic cells are often powered by batteries.