Production of Materials > 4. Electrochemical Methods >
Describe and explain galvanic cells in terms of oxidation/reduction reactions
- Galvanic Cell: A cell capable of producing an electric current from a redox reaction that occurs within it.
- In most redox reactions, electrons are transferred directly from the oxidant to the reductant.
- A galvanic cell involves the oxidation and reduction halves of the redox reaction occurring in different parts of the cell.
- The oxidation and reduction half-cells are separated by a circuit, made up of a conductor and a salt bridge.
- Electrons have to pass through the conductor, producing an electric current.
- Galvanic cells allow the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy.