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III. Discussions
In performing this experiment, a makeshift galvanic cell was used. In this
galvanic cell, a copper metal was paired with iron, tin, lead and zinc. The set-up was
consist of 20 mL CuSO4, SnCl2, FeSO4, Zn (NO3)2, and Pb (NO3)2 that were prepared
and put in different container. The solutions of SnCl 2, FeSO4, Zn (NO3)2, and Pb
(NO3)2 were also paired to CuSO4 which made up a galvanic cell. A galvanic cell or a
voltaic cell is a set up where in electrons were freed and were freely traveling all
around the set up therefore these free electrons were harnessed to become electricity.
In an electrochemical cell, an electric potential is created between two dissimilar
metals. This potential is a measure of the energy per unit charge which is available
from the oxidation/reduction reactions to drive the reaction. It is customary to
visualize the cell reaction in terms of two half-reactions, an oxidation half-reaction
and a reduction half-reaction. The cell potential has a contribution from the anode
which is a measure of its ability to lose electrons called oxidation potential. The
cathode has a contribution based on its ability to gain electrons called reduction
potential. During this set up, an oxidation-reduction reaction is process that liberated
those electrons. In the set-up, a salt bridge of KNO3 was used. The salt bridge
functions as a path that carries the charges from one cell to another. These paths were
the free flowing electrons that carry these charges. In this experiment, different pairs
of metals and solutions were used because these would test the capabilities of every
solution to conduct electricity through the use of oxidation-reduction reaction.
VI. References
Brown, et.al, (2014). Chemistry: The Central Science, Pearson Education
South Asia Pte Ltd.
Advanced Chemistry with Vernier: Experiments for AP, IB and College
General Chemistry,Jack Randall,Vernier Software and Technology,
2004, 20-1.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/electrode.html
VII. Appendix