The statement that is correct for both electrochemical (galvanic) cell...
Always oxidation occurs at anode and reduction occurs at cathode whatever the type of cell
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The statement that is correct for both electrochemical (galvanic) cell...
Answer:
Both electrochemical (galvanic) cells and electrolytic cells involve the transfer of electrons and the occurrence of oxidation and reduction reactions. However, there are some key differences between the two types of cells.
Galvanic Cells:
1. In a galvanic cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. This means that a spontaneous redox reaction occurs, and the energy released from the reaction is harnessed to produce an electric current.
2. The cell potential, also known as the electromotive force (EMF), is a measure of the driving force or the voltage produced by the cell. The cell potential is temperature dependent and changes with temperature.
3. In a galvanic cell, the anode is the electrode where oxidation occurs. Electrons are released from the anode and flow through an external circuit to the cathode.
4. At the cathode, reduction occurs, and electrons are gained. The reduction reaction is driven by the flow of electrons from the anode.
5. The anode is always assigned a negative sign, indicating that it is the site of oxidation. Similarly, the cathode is assigned a positive sign, indicating that it is the site of reduction.
Electrolytic Cells:
1. In an electrolytic cell, electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous redox reaction. This means that an external power source is connected to the cell to provide the necessary energy for the reaction to occur.
2. The cell potential in an electrolytic cell is not temperature dependent because the external power source compensates for any changes in temperature.
3. The anode in an electrolytic cell is still the site of oxidation, and the cathode is the site of reduction, just like in a galvanic cell.
4. However, since the non-spontaneous reaction requires an external power source, the anode is given a positive polarity (opposite to that in a galvanic cell) and the cathode is given a negative polarity (opposite to that in a galvanic cell).
5. The reversed polarity at the electrodes allows the externally supplied electrons to be driven towards the anode and the reduction to occur at the cathode.
Conclusion:
In both galvanic cells and electrolytic cells, oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode. However, the polarity of the electrodes is opposite in the two types of cells. In galvanic cells, the anode is negative and the cathode is positive, while in electrolytic cells, the anode is positive and the cathode is negative.