Skip to main content
Chemistry LibreTexts

Work From a Voltaic Cell

  • Page ID
    222050
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Chemical Concept Demonstrated

    • Electrochemical work with voltaic or galvanic cells

    Demonstration

    The beaker contains a solution of H2SO4.

    A copper wire electrode along with a magnesium electrode are inserted into the solution.

    The wires are connected to a flashbulb.

    Alternately, a normal light bulb may be used.

    work.gif

    Observations

    The flashbulb is set off.

    Explanation (including important chemical equations)

    The standard-state reduction potentials are:

    Mg 2+ (aq) + 2 e- ---> Mg (s) Eo = -2.37 V
    Cu 2+ (aq) + 2 e- ---> Cu (s) Eo = 0.34 V

    The reaction that has an overall positive cell potential is therefore

    Mg (s) ---> Mg 2+ (aq) + 2 e- Eo = 2.37 V
    2 H + (aq) + 2 e - ---> H2 (g) Eo = 0.00 V
    Mg (s) + 2 H + (aq) ---> Mg 2+ (aq) + H2 (g) Eo cell = 2.37 V

    Electrons flow from the magnesium electrode to the copper electrode through the external circuit, setting off the flashbulb.

    Contributors


    Work From a Voltaic Cell is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    • Was this article helpful?