An electrochemical cell is a device with two conducting electrodes—one positive and the other negative—made of different materials (typically metals) and submerged in an electrolyte, a chemical solution that allows positive ions from the negative electrode to pass through to the positive electrode and create an electrical charge. Battery units can be one or more.

In an electrolytic cell, chemical processes are sped up by electrical energy. Chemical energy is transformed from electrical energy by them. Two different kinds of electrolytic cells exist.

They are the electrolytic cell and the galvanic or voltaic cell. Galvanic or voltaic cells, which are examples of electrochemical cells, transform chemical energy into electrical energy, and electrolytic cells do the opposite. Two half-cells make up an electrochemical cell. An anode and an electrolyte, which may or may not be the same in the two half cells, make up each of them.

What are the major parts of an electrochemical cell?

An electrochemical cell’s essential parts are:

Electrode

These are the solid electrical conductors found in electrochemical cells made of excellent conductors like metals. They come in two varieties:

  • Anode: The cell section where oxidation occurs is called the anode.
  • Cathode: The area of the cell where reduction occurs.

Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance found between the electrodes that, when dissolved in polar solvents like water, creates easily moving ions that result in an electrically conducting solution.

Salt Bridge

An electrochemical cell’s oxidation and reduction halves are connected by a salt bridge, completing the circuit. It is packed with KCl and other saturated salt solutions.

The bridge is necessary for the solution’s ions to travel between half-cells, which is necessary for the reaction to proceed. An illustration of a salt bridge would be filter paper immersed in potassium nitrate or sodium chloride solution.

Also Read: What is an Electrodeposition?

What are the types of Electrochemical Cell? 

Most electrochemical cells fall into one of two categories:

  • Voltaic or galvanic cells
  • Electrolytic cells

Galvanic Cell

Chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy by voltaic or galvanic cells. In a galvanic cell, spontaneous reactions happen. It indicates that redox processes produce electrons.

The electrode and cathode in a galvanic cell are each negatively and positively charged. Salt bridges and two distinct sections or halves make up a galvanic cell.

Electrolytic Cell

Electrical energy is transformed into molecular energy in an electrolytic cell. In an electrolytic cell, non-spontaneous redox reactions occur. It implies that electrical energy from outside sources is used to produce electrons.

This type has a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode. Typically, an electrolytic cell has just one chamber.

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Elliot is a passionate environmentalist and blogger who has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about conservation, green energy, and renewable energy. With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference.

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