Independent Variable: Concentration of the electrolyte solutions
Dependent Variable: Cell potential of the galvanic cell
Testable Question:
How does varying the concentration of electrolyte solutions in a galvanic cell affect the cell
potential produced by the cell?
Hypothesis:
If the concentration of the electrolyte solution is changed, then the cell potential of the galvanic
cell will also change. The cell potential of a galvanic cell depends on the relative concentrations
of ions involved in the redox reactions, such that an increase in concentration of the cathode will
increase the cell potential while an increase in concentration of the anode will decrease the cell
potential.
Materials:
● Zinc metal strip
● Copper metal strip
● Beakers
● Various concentrations of ZnSO4 solutions- 1.0M, 0.10M, 0.010M, 0.0010M, 0.00010M
● Various concentrations of Cu(NO3)2 solutions- 1.0M, 0.10M, 0.010M, 0.0010M,
0.00010M
● KNO3 solution
● U-tube
● Voltmeter
● Wires
● Crocodile clips
● Measuring Cylinder
● Distilled Water
● Masking tape
● Markers
Procedure:
1. One beaker was labelled as the anode beaker, and another beaker was labelled as the
cathode beaker, using masking tape and markers.
2. Solutions of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) were prepared at a
concentration of 1.0 M.
3. 50 mL of 1.0 M ZnSO4 solution was measured using the measuring cylinder and poured
into the anode beaker.
4. 50mL of 1.0 M Cu(NO3)2 solution was also measured and poured into the cathode
beaker.
5. A zinc metal strip was placed into the 1.0 M ZnSO4 solution and a copper metal strip was
placed into the 1.0 M Cu(NO3)2 solution which acted as the anode and cathode electrodes
respectively.
6. A salt bridge was prepared using a U-tube filled with KNO3 solution.
7. One end of the U-tube was placed in the beaker containing the zinc solution whilst the
other end was placed in the beaker containing the copper solution ensuring both ends of
the U-tube were fully submerged. This allowed for ion exchange between the two half-
cells.
8. The zinc electrode was connected to the negative terminal of the voltmeter and the copper
electrode was connected to the positive terminal of the voltmeter using wires and
crocodile clips.
9. The cell potential was observed from the voltmeter and recorded.
10. Steps 2-9 were repeated for different concentrations of Cu(NO3)2, 0.10M, 0.010M,
0.0010M, 0.00010M respectively, while keeping the concentration of the ZnSO4 solution
constant.
11. Steps 2-9 were then repeated for different concentrations of ZnSO4, 0.10M, 0.010M,
0.0010M, 0.00010M respectively, while keeping the concentration of the Cu(NO3)2
solution constant.
12. All readings and observations were tabulated.
[𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡]
13. A graph of cell potential versus log Q was plotted. (𝑄 = [𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡])
Observations:
Anode (Zinc electrode):
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e- (oxidation)
Cathode (Copper electrode):
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s) (reduction)
Overall Redox Reaction:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
Results:
Table 1: Cell Potentials of a Zinc/Copper Cell at Various Concentrations
Concentrations Cell Potential, E°cell (V)
ZnSO4 (aq) (1.0 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (1.0 M) 1.10
ZnSO4 (aq) (1.0 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (0.10 M) 1.07
ZnSO4 (aq) (1.0 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (0.010 M) 1.03
ZnSO4 (aq) (1.0 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (0.0010 M) 1.00
ZnSO4 (aq) (1.0 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (0.00010 M) 0.98
ZnSO4 (aq) (0.10 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (1.0 M) 1.13
ZnSO4 (aq) (0.010M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (1.0 M) 1.17
ZnSO4 (aq) (0.0010 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (1.0 M) 1.19
ZnSO4 (aq) (0.00010 M)/ Cu(NO3)2 (aq) (1.0 M) 1.22
Table 2: Reaction Quotient, Q, at Various Cell Potentials
[𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡]
Q = [Zn2+/Cu2+], 𝑄 = [𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡] log Q Cell Potential, E°cell (V)
0.0001 M/1.0 M = 0.0001 log10(0.0001) = -4 1.22
0.001 M/1.0 M = 0.001 log10(0.001) = -3 1.19
0.01 M/1.0 M = 0.01 log10(0.01) = -2 1.17
0.1 M/1.0 M = 0.1 log10(0.1) = -1 1.13
1.0 M/1.0 M = 1 log10(1) = 0 1.10
1.0 M/0.10 M = 10 log10(10) = 1 1.07
1.0 M/0.010 M = 100 log10(100) = 2 1.03
1.0 M/0.0010 M = 1000 log10(1000) = 3 1.00
1.0 M/0.00010 M = 10000 log10(10000) = 4 0.98
Graph 1: Graph of Cell Potential against log Q
Discussion:
A galvanic cell is also called a voltaic cell. The spontaneous reactions in it provide the electric
energy or current. (Chieh, n.d.) A galvanic cell is an electrochemical system which converts
chemical energy to electrical energy spontaneously as the result of a redox (oxidation-reduction)
reaction. It is comprised of two half-cells which contain an electrode (the part of the circuit that
moves electrons) and an electrolyte solution. One half-cell is undergoing oxidation (loss of
electrons) and the other half-cell is undergoing reduction (gain of electrons). The cell potential
(voltage) comes from the movement of electrons from the anode (the half-cell that is being
oxidized) to the cathode (the half-cell that is being reduced), which delivers energy in the form
of electrical current.
The cell potential for a galvanic cell will change with the inherent tendency that one or the other
reaction will occur. This can be described using standard electrode potentials (E°) for the half
reactions under standard conditions (1 M ion concentration, 25 °C, and 1 atm) with constant
standard potential that can be predicted from using standard tables.
The data we saw seemed to show that as we increased the ratio Q = [Zn2+/Cu2+], the cell potential
decreased. This trend carried through to our use of the Nernst equation. The data shows that as
we increase the concentration of the product Zn²⁺ and decreased the concentration of the reactant
Cu²⁺ the voltage decreased. These are examples of the data:
• When Q = 0.0001 (high Cu²⁺, low Zn²⁺), the voltage was 1.22 V
• When Q = 1, the voltage was 1.10 V
• When Q = 10000 (high Zn²⁺, low Cu²⁺), the voltage dropped to 0.98 V
From this, we can infer that a greater Cu²⁺ concentration increases voltage compared to a greater
Zn²⁺ concentration that may decrease it.
The standard cell potential for the galvanic cell was 1.10 V, observed when both ions’
concentrations were 1.0 M which means that the system was at standard conditions (Q = 1). This
can be understood in terms of electrochemistry if Q = 1.
The log Q vs cell potential graph was linear in appearance. With the cell potential decreasing as
log Q increased, confirming a trend predicted through the Nernst equation.
When Q = 1, log Q = 0 and has the cell potential of 1.10 V. Additionally, the significant part to
note is it is at the standard conditions for a cell with 1.0 M of each ion. This allows us a reference
point to examine how each concentration affects voltage.
Q > 1 would be when [Zn2+] > [Cu2+] meaning more product than reactant. These points are on
the right side of the graph, (log Q positive), which also had a lower cell potential. Q < 1 occurs
when [Zn2+] < [ Cu2+], meaning there is more reactant (Cu²⁺) than product. These points appear
on the left side of the graph (log Q negative), and the cell potential is higher. This shows there is
a benefit to having a higher concentration of Cu²⁺ (high voltage), and the benefit by having a
higher concentration of Zn²⁺ is low voltage.
While the results were consistent with theoretical expectations, possible experiments sources of
error include:
• Incorrect ion concentration: Preparing highly diluted solutions (0.0001 M in this case) is
especially prone to volumetric errors.
• Electrode condition: If the metal electrodes were also oxidized or contaminated, the
surface reaction may have also have not proceeded ideally affecting voltage.
To improve in these areas of error:
• Use the best quality analytical standard volumetric flasks and pipettes.
• Polish the electrodes for each trial to ensure they are as similar in surface activity as
possible.
With these improvements, the reliability and precision of the results would be further enhanced.
Conclusion:
Based on the results, increasing the concentration of the cathode ion increased the cell potential,
while increasing the concentration of the anode ion decreased it.
References:
Chieh, C. (n.d.). Galvanic Cells. Chemistry LibreTexts.
[Link]
cal_Chemistry)/Electrochemistry/Basics_of_Electrochemistry/Electrochemistry/Galvanic_Cells