Electrolytic cell
A galvanic cell can become an electrolytic cell by applying an external voltage that is of opposite polarity to the cell's spontaneous voltage. This external voltage can overcome the natural tendency of the cell to generate electricity and drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction in the reverse direction, converting it into an electrolytic cell.
A non-spontaneous voltage is characteristic of electrolytic cells. In these cells, an external power source is required to drive a chemical reaction that would not occur spontaneously. This process involves the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, typically used for electrolysis, such as breaking down compounds like water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.
For the non-spontaneous redox reaction between magnesium (Mg) and copper ions (Cu²⁺), the overall cell voltage can be calculated using standard electrode potentials. The standard reduction potential for Cu²⁺/Cu is +0.34 V, while for Mg²⁺/Mg it is -2.37 V. The overall cell potential (E°) for the reaction is E° = E°(reduction) - E°(oxidation) = +0.34 V - (-2.37 V) = +2.71 V. However, since the reaction is non-spontaneous, the cell voltage would be negative under standard conditions, indicating that external energy is required to drive the reaction.
A galvanic cell can become an electrolytic cell by applying an external voltage greater than the cell's electromotive force (EMF). This reverse process forces the spontaneous redox reaction to go in the opposite direction, causing the cell to consume electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. Essentially, the galvanic cell, which generates electricity from chemical reactions, can be converted into an electrolytic cell that requires electricity to induce chemical changes. This transformation is commonly seen in processes like electrolysis.
In a redox reaction involving magnesium (Mg) and copper ions (Cu²⁺), magnesium is oxidized and copper is reduced. The standard reduction potential for Cu²⁺ to Cu is +0.34 V, while the standard reduction potential for Mg²⁺ to Mg is -2.37 V. The overall cell voltage (E°) for the reaction is calculated as the difference between these potentials: E° = E°(reduction) - E°(oxidation) = 0.34 V - (-2.37 V) = +2.71 V. Since this voltage is positive, the reaction is spontaneous under standard conditions, contrary to the premise of being non-spontaneous.
A galvanic cell can become an electrolytic cell by applying an external voltage that is of opposite polarity to the cell's spontaneous voltage. This external voltage can overcome the natural tendency of the cell to generate electricity and drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction in the reverse direction, converting it into an electrolytic cell.
A non-spontaneous voltage is characteristic of electrolytic cells. In these cells, an external power source is required to drive a chemical reaction that would not occur spontaneously. This process involves the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, typically used for electrolysis, such as breaking down compounds like water into hydrogen and oxygen gases.
The standard cell potential for the non-spontaneous reaction between silver and copper ions (Ag+ and Cu2+) is determined by subtracting the reduction potential of Ag+ from that of Cu2+. The cell potential would be negative as the reaction is non-spontaneous, indicating that an external voltage larger than the calculated value would be needed to drive the reaction in the reverse direction.
A cell with a negative voltage charge.
For the non-spontaneous redox reaction between magnesium (Mg) and copper ions (Cu²⁺), the overall cell voltage can be calculated using standard electrode potentials. The standard reduction potential for Cu²⁺/Cu is +0.34 V, while for Mg²⁺/Mg it is -2.37 V. The overall cell potential (E°) for the reaction is E° = E°(reduction) - E°(oxidation) = +0.34 V - (-2.37 V) = +2.71 V. However, since the reaction is non-spontaneous, the cell voltage would be negative under standard conditions, indicating that external energy is required to drive the reaction.
In an electrolytic cell, electrical energy is transformed into chemical energy. This occurs when an external voltage is applied to drive a non-spontaneous redox reaction to produce a desired chemical product.
Spontaneous ...Happens all by itself; typically unpredictableNon-spontaneous...You have to do something to make it happen.
The voltage of an electrolytic cell with nickel and copper electrodes depends on the specific electrolyte used and the concentration of the solutions. Typically, nickel and copper electrodes can have a cell potential of around 0.3 to 0.5 volts when considering their standard reduction potentials. However, in an electrolytic cell, an external voltage is applied to drive the non-spontaneous reactions, which may exceed this value. The actual voltage required will depend on factors such as electrode surface area, temperature, and the specific setup of the cell.
if the external circuit is replaced by a source of electricity that opposes the voltaic cell, the electrode reactions can be reversed.Now,the external source pushes the electrons in the opposite direction and supplies energy or work to the cell so that the reverse non-spontaneous reaction occurs.
A galvanic cell can become an electrolytic cell by applying an external voltage greater than the cell's electromotive force (EMF). This reverse process forces the spontaneous redox reaction to go in the opposite direction, causing the cell to consume electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. Essentially, the galvanic cell, which generates electricity from chemical reactions, can be converted into an electrolytic cell that requires electricity to induce chemical changes. This transformation is commonly seen in processes like electrolysis.
In the context of "spontaneous vs non-spontaneous," a reaction is considered spontaneous if it occurs on its own without needing external influence. On the other hand, a non-spontaneous reaction requires external energy input to occur.
spontaneous redox reaction