Voltaic Cell Lab Report
Name: Serene Tan
Subject: Chemistry SL
Date: 5th December 2012
Title: The effect of concentration of electrolyte on the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Aim: To investigate the effect of concentration of electrolyte of the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Introduction:
Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons from one reactant to another are called oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions. In a redox reaction, two half-reactions occur; one reactant gives up electrons (undergoes oxidation) and another reactant gains electrons (undergoes reduction).
Voltaic cell is a device in which a redox reaction spontaneously occurs and produces an electric current. In order for the transfer of electrons in a redox reaction to produce an electric current and be useful, the electrons are made to pass through an external electrically conducting wire instead of being directly transferred between the oxidizing and reducing agents.
A salt bridge must be used to avoid polarization of the electrodes by facilitating the circulation of ions from electrolyte. Each electrode is connected to the voltmeter by clips and wires. The voltmeter measures the voltage generated by the redox reaction. The voltage reading will be positive when the electrodes are connected properly for spontaneous reaction. A redox reaction occurs when the species with higher reduction potential is connected as the cathode.
Research Question: What is the effect of different concentration of negative terminal electrolyte on the potential difference in voltaic cell?
Hypothesis: The lower the concentration of negative terminal electrolyte, the higher the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Variables: Manipulated variable | Concentration of negative terminal electrolyte * Use zinc sulphate solution, ZnSO4 as the negative terminal electrolyte throughout the experiment * Use zinc sulphate solution, ZnSO4 of different concentration, 1.0M, 0.10M, 0.010M and 0.0010M
Subject: Chemistry SL
Date: 5th December 2012
Title: The effect of concentration of electrolyte on the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Aim: To investigate the effect of concentration of electrolyte of the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Introduction:
Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons from one reactant to another are called oxidation-reduction reactions or redox reactions. In a redox reaction, two half-reactions occur; one reactant gives up electrons (undergoes oxidation) and another reactant gains electrons (undergoes reduction).
Voltaic cell is a device in which a redox reaction spontaneously occurs and produces an electric current. In order for the transfer of electrons in a redox reaction to produce an electric current and be useful, the electrons are made to pass through an external electrically conducting wire instead of being directly transferred between the oxidizing and reducing agents.
A salt bridge must be used to avoid polarization of the electrodes by facilitating the circulation of ions from electrolyte. Each electrode is connected to the voltmeter by clips and wires. The voltmeter measures the voltage generated by the redox reaction. The voltage reading will be positive when the electrodes are connected properly for spontaneous reaction. A redox reaction occurs when the species with higher reduction potential is connected as the cathode.
Research Question: What is the effect of different concentration of negative terminal electrolyte on the potential difference in voltaic cell?
Hypothesis: The lower the concentration of negative terminal electrolyte, the higher the potential difference in voltaic cell.
Variables: Manipulated variable | Concentration of negative terminal electrolyte * Use zinc sulphate solution, ZnSO4 as the negative terminal electrolyte throughout the experiment * Use zinc sulphate solution, ZnSO4 of different concentration, 1.0M, 0.10M, 0.010M and 0.0010M