Galvanic cells agents

Tabulated E values can be used to calculate the for any reaction, as illustrated in Table 7.2 for the Zn/Cu galvanic cell. The redox reaction is spontaneous when the half-reaction (Cu /Cu) with the larger reduction (+0.34V) acts as the oxidizing agent. In this case, the other half-reaction (Zn /Zn) proceeds as an oxidation. The halfcell potential for this reduction is +0.76 V as it represents the reverse of the half-cell reduction potential as listed in Table 7.2. The sum of the oxidation and reduction half reactions is +0.34V + 0.76 V = +1.10 V. Thus for the galvanic Zn/Cu cell is +1.10V. 

Cell potential The driving force in a galvanic cell that pulls electrons from the reducing agent in one compartment to the oxidizing agent in the other. 

The standard potential for a redox reaction is defined for a galvanic cell in which all activities are unity. The formal potential is the reduction potential that applies under a specified set of conditions (including pH, ionic strength, and concentration of complexing agents). Biochemists call the formal potential at pH 7 E° (read "E zero prime"). Table 14-2 lists E° values for various biological redox couples. 

Does the oxidizing agent react at the anode or at the cathode in a galvanic cell Explain. 

In voltaic cells, it is possible to carry out the oxidation and reduction halfreactions in different places when suitable provision is made for transporting the electrons over a wire from one half-reaction to the other and to transport ions from each half-reaction to the other in order to preserve electrical neutrality. The chemical reaction produces an electric current in the process. Voltaic cells, also called galvanic cells, are introduced in Section 17.1. The tendency for oxidizing agents and reducing agents to react with each other is measured by their standard cell potentials, presented in Section 17.2. In Section 17.3, the Nernst equation is introduced to allow calculation of potentials of cells that are not in their standard states. 

Half-cell. The combination of oxidizing and reducing agents that make half a galvanic cell. 

Another example of a galvanic cell reaction is provided by open circuit corrosion of the metal deposit. Freshly deposited (and particularly finely-divided) metals are more active than their bulk, compact counter parts. Corrosion of the mixed electrode deposit may ensue if the cathode surface is left under open circuit conditions metal dissolution is balanced via reduction of species such as dissolved oxygen, protons or higher oxidation states of transition metal ions. Illustrative (simplified) examples of such oxidising agents include the following ... 

How is an oxidation-reduction reaction set up as a galvanic cell (battery) How is the transfer of elecfrons between reducing agent and oxidizing agent made useful ... 

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