All Questions
Tagged with electrons electrochemistry
76
questions
57
votes
4
answers
385k
views
Why is it important to use a salt bridge in a voltaic cell? Can a wire be used?
I was learning about voltaic cells and came across salt bridges. If the purpose of the salt bridge is only to move electrons from an electrolyte solution to the other, then why can I not use a wire?
...
- 799
37
votes
5
answers
20k
views
Why don't the electrons move through the electrolyte (instead of the circuit) in a galvanic cell?
I was learning about galvanic cells and I had a problem understanding why electrons do not travel through the electrolyte solutions themselves, instead preferring to travel through metals. Can ...
- 483
22
votes
3
answers
2k
views
True or false: "A used AA battery contains fewer moles of electrons than a new AA battery."
I recently took a Gen. Chem. 2 exam that contained this question. I answered false, but my professor said the answer is true. My reasoning was that any electrons that leave the anode end up at the ...
- 449
21
votes
2
answers
644
views
Some materials emit more photoelectrons than others - why?
I've been experimenting with some materials by changing the wavelength of the incident light on the material and detecting photoelectrons, like in the diagram below:
I might get a response that looks ...
- 590
15
votes
7
answers
111k
views
Which is anode and which is cathode?
A maybe (hopefully) simple question about the denotations of "anode" and "cathode". The below image is a schematic of a polymer solar cell (Source (WBM)). (The figure text is quoted as well for the ...
- 930
13
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Do electrons really hang around the electrode while ions go take a swim?
This answer to this post addresses "what happens if you dip a single zinc electrode into some electrolyte solution." It explains that
However, though the zinc ion can diffuse through the ...
- 22.5k
12
votes
6
answers
592
views
Is there any electronic component to water conductivity?
Answers to Decrease in temperature of a aqueous salt solution decreases conductivity indicate that the electrical conductivity of salt solutions arises from the mobility of ionic species and therefore ...
- 5,900
10
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Why is chloride oxidised instead of water in copper chloride electrolysis?
For the Electrolysis of Copper Chloride:
Cathode: $\ce{Cu^{2+} + 2e- <=> Cu}$
Anode: $\ce{2Cl <=> Cl2 + 2e- }$
I am confused about the reaction taking place at the anode. Wouldn't $\ce{...
- 231
9
votes
1
answer
283
views
Fundamentals of Li-ion Functionality
I would like to have an in-depth understanding of Li-ion batteries functionality, at atomic level. Can anyone help me to understand it? I have included some known background to support my questions.
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- 944
8
votes
1
answer
326
views
Difference between non-thermal and thermal ionized gases
Why or when does non-thermal plasma become thermal? How do we know before hand if the ion temperature will differ from the electron temperature, on what parameters does it depend - where is the ...
- 1,012
8
votes
0
answers
392
views
What exactly is an "electron-sponge"?
What exactly an "electron-sponge" [behavior/action/property/system] nickname is, and what makes a material an "electron-sponge" (preferably, quantitatively)?
From what I found, it's typically a ...
- 38.4k
7
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How can a neutral atom attract electrons when it's supposed to have zero charge?
A neutral atom is an atom with an equal number of protons and electrons
We know the force of attraction between the proton and electron is equal
and assuming that:
one proton's positive charge ...
- 639
7
votes
1
answer
392
views
Prediction of ionic reduction?
Here are some standard electrode potentials:-
$$\ce{SO_4^{2-} + 4H^+ + 2e^- -> SO_2 + 2H_2O}\\E^o=0.17\mathrm{V}\\
\ce{NO_3^- + 4H^+ + 3e^- -> NO + 2H_2O}\\E^o=0.97\mathrm{V}\\
\ce{NO_3^- + ...
- 6,795
5
votes
2
answers
22k
views
Explanation for the reactions in a saltwater battery with zinc and copper electrodes
I am a physicist, not a chemist. I'm trying to get a basic understanding of the reactions taking place in a battery using a saltwater electrolyte with copper and zinc terminals. I'm writing a general ...
- 151
5
votes
2
answers
784
views
Formation of species in electrolysis
I understand the principles of electrolysis of salts in aqueous solutions, but there are two points on which i am unsure.
At the positive electrode, how can you work out which ions will ...
- 726