Simple Cells

In simple cells chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. [ Whereas in

electrolysis electrical energy is converted into chemical energy. ]
Simple cells is made up of 2 metals ( of different reactivity ) joined by a wire and
dipping it into a electrolyte ( ie Acid, Base and Salts in aqueous form )

Cell 1 Voltaic Cell

Zn Cu

Dil. H2SO4

No battery ( the cell is the battery ).

Zinc being the more electropositive ( reactive ) than Cu and loses electrons more
easily and Zinc ionizes.
Half Equation : Zn 2e Zn2+ or Zn Zn2+ + 2e
The zinc rod is at a higher electron density than the copper rod and electrons flow
from Zinc rod to Copper rod ( through the wire electrons flow very fast through the
wire )
There is not much electrons at the zinc plate since most electrons are transferred to
copper plate.
Electrons cannot go into the water.
Therefore, Zinc rod is the anode ( negative electrode ) since electrons leave the cell
from this electrode.
At Zinc plate (-): Zn 2e Zn2+
Question: Why the H+ ions in the dilute acid cannot get on the zinc plate?
The Zn2+ ions repels the H+ ions away thus the H+ should not get on the zinc since
the zinc ions surrounds the zinc.
However, some H+ ions may go through and becomes discharged at the zinc plate.
 The copper plate is the cathode ( Positive electrode ) of the cell as the electrons from
the zinc plate enters the copper plate. The electrons are then passed to the H+
( positive ions around the electrode ) in the solution.
At the copper plate (+) : 2H+ + 2e H2
Recap:
Anode- The electrode that allows electrons to leave the electrolyte.
Cathode- The electrode that allows the electrons enter the electrolyte.
Overall equation : Zn + 2H+ Zn2+ + H2
Observations: Zinc gets thinner since it is discharged and bubbles of hydrogen gas
forms on the copper plate.
A few bubbles form on the Zinc plate.
E.m.f of cell : Zn/Cu cell = 1.1 volts
The factors affecting E.m.f depends on the difference in the electropositivity/
reactivity of the two metals in the reactivity series.
Reactivity Series of metals: K Na Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Pb [H] Cu Ag Au
(i) Mg/Ag : Highest e.m.f
(ii) Mg/Cu [ The more electropositive metal carries ve charge ]
(iii) Zn/Cu
(iv) Zn/Fe : Lowest e.m.f
Equations for different cells
Anode (-) Cathode (+) Cell
Mg 2e Mg2+ 2H+ + 2e H2 Mg/Ag cell
Zn 2e Zn2+ 2H+ + 2e H2 Zn/Cu cell
Zn 2e Zn2+ 2H+ + 2e H2 Zn/Fe cell

Observations for the cell (i):

Magnesium rod corrodes and becomes thinner : Mg 2e Mg2+
Bubbles appear on the Ag plate ( H2 ) : 2H+ + 2e H2
Polarisation : After a while bubbles of the hydrogen cover the copper plate in the
Zn/Cu cell and prevents contact between the H+ and the copper plate. Electrons
cannot flow from the copper plate to the H+ in the surrounding solution and cell stops
functioning.
 When a gas forms on the plate it clings on the plate. When H+ cant get into contact
with the Cu plate the cell stops working. Electrons cannot be passed into the water, only
onto metal.
Ways to get rid of hydrogen gas
1. Stir the copper plate physically to get rid of hydrogen gas
2. Add oxidizing agent since hydrogen is a reducing agent.
Example of cells: Observations

Ag/Cu cell in dil H2SO4 Fe/Cu cell in dil H2SO4

Cu plate becomes thinner : Fe plate becomes thinner :
Cu 2e Cu2+ Fe 2e Fe2+
Electrolyte turns blue due to the Cu2+ ions Electrolyte turns pale green due to Fe2+
formed.
Bubbles appear on the Sliver plate : Bubbles appear on Cu plate:
2H+ + 2e H2 2H+ + 2e H2

Cell 2 Danielle Cell ( Set-up 1 Using Porous Pot )

Zn Cu

Zn2+
SO42-
Porous
Pot Zn2+
CuSO4
SO42-

ZnSO4

Zinc rod in zinc sulfate solution and Copper rod in copper (II) sulfate solution.
 No Acid is used in the solution thus no hydrogen gas is produced. Thus, no
polarisation.
Half- Equations:
At the zinc rod (-) : Zn 2e Zn2+
At the copper rod (+) : Cu2+ + 2e Cu
The positive ion from copper (II) sulfate solution goes to the copper rod.
Function of porous pot: Why Zinc Sulfate is not placed in a glass container
At the zinc rod zinc rod is discharged and produces zinc ions. This causes the solution to
become electrically positive. The positive ions exerts a pull on the electrons which
cannot leave the zinc rod. Current cannot flow.
Sulfate ions from Copper (II) sulfate solution flow into the pot and neutralize the Zn2+
ions restoring electrical neutrality. This cannot occur when the pot is glass since the
ions cannot flow. This is similar to the concept of salt bridge.

Cell 2 Danielle Cell ( Set-up 2 Using Salt bridge )