Industrial Chemistry > 4. The industrial production of sodium hydroxide requires the use of electrolysis > The Difference Between Galvanic Cells And Electrolytic Cells >
Explain the difference between galvanic cells and electrolytic cells in terms of energy requirements
GALVANIC CELL
- uses a spontaneous reaction in order to generate electricity
- composed of two half-cells with separate electrolytes and a salt bridge connecting the electrolyte solutions
- electrons are lost from the anode and travel through a conductive wire (electric current) where it is absorbed by cathode and reduction takes place
ELECTROLYTIC CELL
- electrical energy is required in order for a non-spontaneous chemical reaction to occur
- composed of two electrodes placed in the same electrolyte solution
- electrons are withdrawn from the anode by the battery and then flows from the negative terminal of the battery to the cathode
- amount of reactants consumed or products formed depends on the amount of electricity transferred at the electrodes
Comparing galvanic and electrolytic cells:
