Zinc and Copper Voltaic Cell Experiment

A voltaic cell is also known as an electrochemical cell. The cell

uses a chemical reaction, also known as a REDOX reaction, to
produce electrical energy. The REDOX reaction has two parts;
oxidation, a loss of electrons, and reduction, a gain of electrons.
Oxidation occurs at the anode and the reduction occurs at the
cathode. This flow of electrons moves from the anode and then
across the voltmeter and finally to the cathode. This movement
of electrons is what gives the cell its electrical power. In this
particular voltaic cell, the copper is the cathode and the zinc is
the anode. The figure below, Figure 1, illustrates the electron
flow.
A scientist named Luigi Galvani first discovered that two
connected metals touching a frog leg would make the leg move.
He originally called this movements animal electricity. This
discovery pared with Alessandro Volta and Carlo Matteucci
inventions were the foundation for the modern
battery.
Materials

One 2-well plate (Figure 2)

One filter paper strip (Figure 3)
Zinc electrode (Figure 4)
Copper electrode (Figure 4)
Steel wool (Figure 5)
Watch glass (Figure 6)

Three pipettes (Figure 7)

Voltmeter w/ alligator clips (Figure 8)
0.1M solution of Copper Nitrate (Cathode)
0.1M solution of Zinc Nitrate (Anode)
0.1M solution of Potassium Chloride (Salt

Preparing the Salt Bridge

1. Place one strip of filter paper on the watch glass
2. Fill pipette with the Potassium Chloride (KCL) solution.
3. Cover filter paper with the KCL solution.
Preparing the Zinc and Copper Electrodes
1. Take the Copper electrode.
2. Scrub the Copper electrode with the steel wool until polished.
3. Take the Zinc electrode.
4. Scrub the Zinc electrode with the steel wool until polished.

Preparing the Well Plate

1. Fill a clean pipette with the Copper Nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) solution.

Bridge)

2. Place 20 drops of the Cu(NO3)2 solution into the top well.

3. Fill a clean pipette with the Zinc Nitrate (Zn(NO 3)2) solution.
4. Place 20 drops of the Zn(NO3)2 solution into the bottom well.
Assembling the Voltaic Cell
1. Place the filter paper covered with the KCL solution over the two solutions
a. Each end of the filter paper should touch one of the solutions.
2. Place Copper electrode in the Cu(NO3)2 solution.
3. Place Zinc electrode in the Zn(NO3)2 solution.
Measuring the Voltage
1. Attach alligator clips to the voltmeter.
a. The red line goes with the positive.
b. The black line goes with the negative.
2. Attach the black clip the copper electrode.
3. Attach the red clip to zinc electrode.
4. Turn the voltmeter to the DCV (direct current setting).
5. Measure the voltage being produced by the cell.
Safety Measures
As with all experiments, a lab coat and safety goggles should be worn.
Long pants and long sleeved shirts are recommended for this experiment as chemicals are
being handled.
These chemicals are relatively harmless when they come into contact with the skin.
Only use water to clean any of these chemical spills, as it will be nonreactive with the
solutions.
Disconnect the alligator clips from the electrodes and turn off the voltmeter after the
measurements have been taken.
As soon as the voltmeter gets a reading, the experiment has been completed. This experiment can be
completed multiple times and the measurements for the voltage can be compared. The voltaic cell can
also be completed with other types of metals and solutions, but copper and zinc produce the most voltage.

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