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17: Electrochemistry

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    41494
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    Electrochemistry is the study of electricity and how it relates to chemical reactions. In electrochemistry, electricity can be generated by movements of electrons from one element to another in a reaction known as redox reaction, or oxidation-reduction reaction.
    • 17.1: Electrochemical Cells
      A galvanic (voltaic) cell uses the energy released during a spontaneous redox reaction to generate electricity, whereas an electrolytic cell consumes electrical energy from an external source to force a reaction to occur. Electrochemistry is the study of the relationship between electricity and chemical reactions. The oxidation–reduction reaction that occurs during an electrochemical process consists of two half-reactions, one representing the oxidation process and one the reduction process.
    • 17.2: The Gibbs Free Energy and Cell Voltage
    • 17.3: Concentration Effects and the Nernst Equation
    • 17.4: Batteries and Fuel Cells
    • 17.5: Corrosion and Its Prevention
      Corrosion is a galvanic process by which metals deteriorate through oxidation—usually but not always to their oxides. For example, when exposed to air, iron rusts, silver tarnishes, and copper and brass acquire a bluish-green surface called a patina. Of the various metals subject to corrosion, iron is by far the most important commercially. An estimated $100 billion per year is spent in the United States alone to replace iron-containing objects destroyed by corrosion.
    • 17.6: Electrometallurgy
      Electrometallurgy is a common extraction process for the more reactive metals, e.g., for aluminum and metals above it in the electrochemical series. It is one method of extracting copper and in the purification of copper. During electrolysis, electrons are being added directly to the metal ions at the cathode (the negative electrode). The downside (particularly in the aluminum case) is the cost of the electricity. An advantage is that it can produce very pure metals.
    • 17.7: A Deeper Look: Electrolysis of Water and Aqueous Solutions


    17: Electrochemistry is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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