Galvanic Cells and Redox Reactions

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.