Cells and Batteries Flashcards
Energy Changes (18 cards)
What is an electrochemical cell?
A basic system made up of two different electrodes in contact with an electrolyte
What materials are typically used for the electrodes in an electrochemical cell?
Usually metals
What is the function of the electrolyte in an electrochemical cell?
A liquid that contains ions which react with the electrodes
What occurs between the electrodes and the electrolyte in an electrochemical cell?
Chemical reactions set up a charge difference between the electrodes
What happens when the electrodes of an electrochemical cell are connected by a wire?
The charge is able to flow and electricity is produced
What can be connected to the circuit to measure the voltage of the cell?
A voltmeter
What factors affect the voltage of an electrochemical cell?
- Different metals reacting with the same electrolyte
- The difference in reactivity of the electrodes
- The electrolyte used in the cell
True or False: The bigger the difference in reactivity of the electrodes, the bigger the voltage of the cell.
True
What can be predicted from information about the voltages of other cells?
The voltage of a cell
How does the reactivity of Electrode A compared to Electrode B influence the voltage?
If Electrode A is less reactive, the voltage is positive; if more reactive, the voltage is negative
What is the voltage for a cell where Electrode A is lead and Electrode B is tin, given specific conditions?
+0.01 V
How does the electrolyte affect the voltage of a cell?
Different ions in solution react differently with the metal electrodes
What is formed by connecting two or more cells together?
A battery
In what configuration are cells connected in a battery to increase voltage?
In series
What happens to the reactants in non-rechargeable batteries?
They get used up and turned into products of the reaction
What occurs once any one of the reactants in a non-rechargeable battery is used up?
The reaction can’t happen and no electricity is produced
What type of reactions do non-rechargeable batteries contain?
Irreversible reactions
How can a rechargeable cell be reactivated?
By connecting it to an external electric current
