Electrochemical Cell Essay Example for Free

Electrochemical Cell EssayIntroductionTo investigate the effect of change in temperature of the solutions on the potential difference of an electrochemical cell. How does increase in temperature of the electrolytes in en electrochemical cell affect the emf?An electrochemical cell produces electrical energy from chemical energy, where the chemical energy comes from the reactions in the cell. An electrochemical cell consists of deuce half-cells. Each half-cell consists of an electrode, and an electrolyte ( coarseness solution). A salt bridge is used that connects the two solutions in the containers to allow flow of ions so there is no missionary post build up in either solution. Charge build-up would shift the equilibrium and the reaction would cease. When the two half cells, consisting of a metal electrode and a conducting solution be connected with an external wire, the strongest oxidizing agent will abide a reduction in one half cell and the strongest reducing agent will u ndergo an oxidation in the other half cell.An electrochemical cell makes use of a redox reaction and uses the chemical reaction to produce an electric current. The two metals that will be used in this experiment argon Copper and Zinc, and their salts are used in an aqueous form in the container, being CuSO4 and ZnSO4. A salt bridge that is dipped in KNO3 will be used. The following reaction takes place in apiece half cellCu (s) Cu2+ (aq) + 2e-Zn (s) Zn2- (aq) + 2e-Independent Variable Temperature of the electrolytes (C)Dependant Variable Voltage (V)Controlled Variables Nature of electrodes The electrodes will be of the same elements i.e. Copper and Zinc. Changing the nature of the electrodes will change the voltage since different elements produce different forms of ions which then affects the voltage of the cell. Size of electrodes The size of electrodes will be kept constant to 6cm x 1cm. Increasing the size of electrodes federal agency that the electrodes will react produce mor e ions hence increasing the voltage of the cell. Nature of ion transfer A salt bridge (dipped in KNO3) will be used as a pathway for the ion transfer between the two half cells. Changing the nature of ion transfer will change the amount of ions are transferred between the half cells hence affecting the voltage. The concentration of the electrolytes is kept constant. A constant amount of metal salt will be added to make each electrolyte. Having a varying concentration will affect the amount of ions produced hence varying the voltage accordingly. Voltmeter The voltmeter is kept constant since changing the voltmeter can affect the voltage since different voltmeters may have different resistance which may affect the readings.Materials required* Copper strip, 6cm x 1cm* Zinc strip, 6cm x 1cm* CuSO4 solution, 0.99M 0.01M* ZnSO4 solution, 0.99M 0.01M* KNO3 solution, 1.99M 0.01M* Distilled water, 300mL 1mL* Beakers (3), 250mL 50mL* Graduated cylinder (100mL 1mL)* digital Voltmeter wit h crocodile wires* Hot plate* Thermometers (2), 1C* Paper strips, 10cm x 1cm* Magnetic stirrer* Rubber gloves* Apron* Safety Goggles systemMethod to deck up solutions1. Concentration required (CuSO4) 0.99MAMU of CuSO4 159.61So, 1.00M of CuSO4 has 159.61g of CuSO4 and then 0.99M has 159.61 x 0.99= 158.01g 0.01gMix 158.01g 0.01g of CuSO4 in 100mL of distilled water. Use a magnetic stirrer if necessary== Use 100mL 1mL of 0.99M 0.01M of CuSO4 solution.2. Concentration required (ZnSO4) 0.99MAMU of ZnSO4 161.44So, 1.00M of CuSO4 has 161.44g of ZnSO4Hence 0.99M has 161.44 x 0.99= 159.83g 0.01gMix 159.83g 0.01g of ZnSO4 in 100mL of distilled water. Use a magnetic stirrer if necessary== Use 100mL 1mL of 0.99M 0.01M of ZnSO4 solution.3. Concentration required (KNO3) 1.99MAMU of CuSO4 101.11So, 1.0M of CuSO4 has 101.11g of KNO3Hence 1.99M has 101.11 x 1.99= 201.21g 0.01gMix 201.21g 0.01g of KNO3 in 100mL of distilled water. Use a magnetic stirrer if necessary== Use 30mL 1mL of 1.9 9M 0.01M of KNO3 solution.4. Now put the paper strip (salt bridge) in the KNO3 solution and leave it for 30 seconds.Method for investigation1. Before starting the experiments, all the materials should be acquired with all safety precautions2. Put the two beakers that have electrolytes on the hot plate.3. Now put the salt bridge between the beakers. Also, put the two thermometers in each container4. Connect the crocodile wires from the voltmeter to each electrode, but dont put it in the half cells yet.5. Now turn on the hot plate and let the temperature increase from room temperature to 30C6. As soon as the temperature increases to 30C, quickly insert the electrodes in the various(prenominal) solutions (Cu in CuSO4 and Zn in ZnSO4) and record the voltage7. Remove the electrodes and clean and dry them.8. Now increase the temperature by a difference of 10C i.e. 40C, 50C, 60C, 70C, 80C and 90C and repeat steps 5-7.9. After the experiment has been completed, put the cleaned materials b ack to their maestro place.Raw Data TableVolume of each electrolyte (mL 1mL)Length of salt bridge (cm 0.01 cm)Length of each electrode (cm 0.01 cm)