Chemistry / Unit 11 Chem 2150 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Galvanic Cell: Spontaneous Redox Generates Current
Captions available
The idea
A galvanic cell separates a spontaneous redox reaction's oxidation and reduction half-reactions into two compartments joined by a wire, forcing electrons through as current.
In practice
A zinc-copper galvanic cell drives electrons from zinc, through a wire, to copper, lighting a bulb.
Where people slip
The same reaction run unseparated still transfers electrons, but with no circuit, no current results.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- 2153Anode and Cathode by Reaction, Not by Charge
- 2159Salt Bridge Maintains Circuit and Neutrality
- 2162Cell Notation Convention
- 2165Cell Potential Defined
- 2210Battery as a Multi-Cell Galvanic Device
- 2219Corrosion as Unwanted Spontaneous Oxidation
- 2228Twin: Electrolytic Cell as the Forced-Reverse Galvanic Cell
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Chemistry