Learn
Games

2.1.1 - Daniell Cell and its Functioning

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Introduction to Daniell Cell

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to explore the Daniell cell, a type of electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Can anyone tell me what a redox reaction is?

Student 1
Student 1

It's a reaction where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! In a Daniell cell, we have the reactions: Zn oxidizing and Cu<sup>2+</sup> reducing. Can anyone describe what happens at the anode and the cathode?

Student 2
Student 2

At the anode, zinc loses electrons, and at the cathode, copper gains electrons.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Remember: Anode is where oxidation occurs, which you could remember with the mnemonic AN OX. Great work!

Student 3
Student 3

What does the salt bridge do?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent question! The salt bridge maintains the balance of charge in the half-cells by allowing ions to flow. In short, it keeps the cell neutral while the reaction takes place.

Chemical Reactions in the Daniell Cell

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

Teacher
Teacher

Let’s look closer at the reactions in the Daniell cell: Zn(s) + Cu<sup>2+</sup>(aq) → Zn<sup>2+</sup>(aq) + Cu(s). Who can identify the oxidation and reduction half-reactions?

Student 4
Student 4

The oxidation half-reaction is Zn(s) → Zn<sup>2+</sup>(aq) + 2e<sup>–</sup>, and the reduction half-reaction is Cu<sup>2+</sup>(aq) + 2e<sup>–</sup> → Cu(s).

Teacher
Teacher

Fantastic! Remembering the half-reactions helps us understand how electrons flow. If we think of this in terms of electron flow, what do we observe in terms of voltage?

Student 1
Student 1

When the reaction goes spontaneously, the Daniell cell can produce voltage until concentration changes.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! The standard potential of the Daniell cell is 1.1 V. You could also use the acronym E=1.1 to remember this. Any questions on this?

Applications and Importance

Unlock Audio Lesson

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson

Teacher
Teacher

Now that we've covered how the Daniell cell works, can someone explain its practical significance in daily life?

Student 3
Student 3

Batteries! They convert the same kind of chemical energy into electrical energy.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! These concepts are fundamental to understanding batteries that power many of our devices. Can anyone think of a common battery type made using these principles?

Student 2
Student 2

Lead-acid batteries!

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent example! Lead-acid batteries also utilize the principles of electrochemistry to produce energy. Remember, understanding these cells is crucial for future technologies.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section introduces Daniell cells, a type of galvanic cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through redox reactions.

Standard

Daniell cells are electrochemical devices that generate electrical energy via spontaneous redox reactions. This section discusses the construction, functioning, and the underlying chemical reactions of Daniell cells, along with their significance in electrochemistry.

Detailed

Detailed Summary of Daniell Cells

Daniell cells are a form of galvanic cell which convert the chemical energy released from a spontaneous redox reaction into electrical energy. This section outlines the operation of the Daniell cell, starting with the fundamental redox reaction:

  • Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

In a Daniell cell, the anode is a zinc electrode that undergoes oxidation, while the cathode is a copper electrode that undergoes reduction. The construction of the cell involves two half-cells connected internally by a salt bridge, which maintains electrical neutrality by allowing ions to move between the half-cells.

The standard cell potential (Ecell) for the Daniell cell is 1.1 V when the concentration of both ions is 1 mol/dm³. The section illustrates the cell's operation under various external potentials, highlighting that at the standard potential, there is no net current flow. If an opposing voltage is applied equal to the Ecell, the cell operation ceases, and no reaction occurs, demonstrating the principles of electrochemical cells including the concepts of anode, cathode, and the movement of electrons.

Further, the relationship between cell potential and Gibbs free energy is explored, including the derivation of the Nernst equation, which provides insights into how concentrations of reactants impact cell potential. This section emphasizes the importance of understanding these cells for practical applications, such as batteries and electrochemistry in science and industry.

Youtube Videos

Daniel Cell Tutorials Online - Class 12 Science - Tutorials of Electrochemistry (Meritnation.com)
Daniel Cell Tutorials Online - Class 12 Science - Tutorials of Electrochemistry (Meritnation.com)
Voltaic cell | How does it work?
Voltaic cell | How does it work?
Daniel Cell By Arvind Arora Electrochemistry Class 12 Chemistry
Daniel Cell By Arvind Arora Electrochemistry Class 12 Chemistry
Class 12 Chapter 2 I ElectroChemistry 01 : Daniell Cell - Electrochemical / Galvanic / Voltaic Cell
Class 12 Chapter 2 I ElectroChemistry 01 : Daniell Cell - Electrochemical / Galvanic / Voltaic Cell
A short introduction to the Daniell cell
A short introduction to the Daniell cell
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL || HINDI EXPLANATION || ELECTROCHEMISTRY || 12TH CHEMISTRY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL || HINDI EXPLANATION || ELECTROCHEMISTRY || 12TH CHEMISTRY
Daniell Cell - Electrochemistry | Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 (2022-23)
Daniell Cell - Electrochemistry | Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 (2022-23)
Galvanic Cell And Electrolytic Cell Short Explanation By Arvind Arora Electrochemistry Class 12
Galvanic Cell And Electrolytic Cell Short Explanation By Arvind Arora Electrochemistry Class 12
Working of Daniell Cell
Working of Daniell Cell
Electrochemistry (Part 1) - Electrochemical cells, Daniell Cell | NCERT - Class 12
Electrochemistry (Part 1) - Electrochemical cells, Daniell Cell | NCERT - Class 12

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Introduction to Daniell Cell

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

We had studied the construction and functioning of Daniell cell (Fig. 2.1). This cell converts the chemical energy liberated during the redox reaction Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ⇌ Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s) to electrical energy and has an electrical potential equal to 1.1 V when concentration of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions is unity (1 mol dm–3). Such a device is called a galvanic or a voltaic cell.

Detailed Explanation

The Daniell cell is a type of galvanic cell, which means it generates electrical energy from spontaneous chemical reactions. It operates on the principle of redox reactions where zinc is oxidized and copper ions are reduced. In a simplified way, when zinc reacts with copper ions in a solution, energy is released, allowing the cell to produce an electric current. When the concentrations of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions are both 1 mol/dm³, the cell can generate a voltage of 1.1 volts.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a Daniell cell like a water wheel in a river. Just as the water's flow (like a chemical reaction) turns the wheel, producing energy, the chemical reactions in the Daniell cell produce electrical energy. When both chemical reactants are present in the right amounts, the cell operates efficiently, similar to how a water wheel turns smoothly when there is a consistent flow of water.

Functioning under External Voltage

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

If an external opposite potential is applied in the galvanic cell and increased slowly, we find that the reaction continues to take place till the opposing voltage reaches the value 1.1 V when the reaction stops altogether and no current flows through the cell. Any further increase in the external potential again starts the reaction but in the opposite direction.

Detailed Explanation

When you apply an external voltage to the Daniell cell, it can affect the spontaneity of the chemical reactions. As you increase the opposing voltage, the reactions inside the cell that produce electric current will continue until the opposing voltage reaches 1.1 volts. Beyond this point, the reactions stop, and no current flows because the applied voltage is greater than the maximum produced by the cell. If the voltage is increased even more, the cell can operate in reverse, using electricity to drive a reaction that normally would not occur spontaneously.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine pushing a swing. If you push with enough force, the swing will move higher until it reaches its peak (like reaching 1.1 V). If you push harder, the swing could start to go backward (the reverse reaction), but this requires more energy than what the swing can naturally achieve on its own.

Comparison with Electrolytic Cell

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

When E > 1.1 V the cell functions as an electrolytic cell, a device for using electrical energy to carry non-spontaneous chemical reactions.

Detailed Explanation

When the applied voltage exceeds 1.1 V, the Daniell cell switches from generating electricity to consuming electricity, effectively acting as an electrolytic cell. In electrolytic cells, electrical energy from an external source is used to drive chemical reactions that would not typically occur on their own, allowing for processes like electroplating or the production of chemicals through electrolysis.

Examples & Analogies

Think of an electrolytic cell like a treadmill. While running (using energy) can generate momentum and help you move, when you jump onto a treadmill set to a steep incline, you’re using energy to move against gravity and change your position—it’s a direct application of energy to achieve a task (like an electrolytic process).

Daniell Cell Diagram

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

Daniell Cell diagram illustrates electrodes of zinc and copper dipping in their respective salt solutions (Fig. 2.1).

Detailed Explanation

The diagram of the Daniell cell shows two electrodes: a zinc electrode (anode) and a copper electrode (cathode) immersed in solutions of their respective sulfate salts (ZnSO₄ and CuSO₄). This visual representation is crucial for understanding how the cell is set up, as it highlights the flow of electrons and the movement of ions between the half-cells.

Examples & Analogies

Visualize the Daniell cell setup as two buckets connected by a pipe. One bucket filled with saltwater represents the Zn half-cell where zinc is gradually added, while the other bucket has copper saltwater, highlighting how water (like ions) flows and connects the two systems through the pipe (the salt bridge), allowing for the exchange necessary to produce electric energy.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Electrochemical Cell: A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy via redox reactions.

  • Redox Reaction: A chemical process involving the transfer of electrons between two species.

  • Standard Electrode Potential: The measure of individual electrode's ability to be reduced or oxidized under standard conditions.

  • Nernst Equation: A formula that relates the cell potential to the concentration of the reactants and products.

  • Conductivity: A measure of how well a solution can conduct electricity.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Example of a Daniell cell includes the reaction of zinc and copper sulfate solutions to generate electrical energy.

  • Real-life applications of Daniell cells can be seen in batteries, which use similar principles to store and provide electrical energy.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In a Daniell cell, with Zn and Cu, oxidation, reduction, electricity’s the due.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a zinc rod in a salty lake with copper coins where the zinc gives away its 'family' of electrons to make power for a toy.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Use 'ANK' to recall: Anode - Negatively charged during oxidation in a galvanic cell.

🎯 Super Acronyms

E = Zn - Cu to remember how to calculate cell potential using concentration.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Daniell Cell

    Definition:

    A type of galvanic cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through spontaneous redox reactions.

  • Term: Anode

    Definition:

    The electrode where oxidation occurs in an electrochemical cell.

  • Term: Cathode

    Definition:

    The electrode where reduction occurs in an electrochemical cell.

  • Term: Halfcell

    Definition:

    A part of the electrochemical cell that contains either the oxidation or reduction reaction.

  • Term: Salt Bridge

    Definition:

    A device in a galvanic cell that maintains electrical neutrality by allowing ions to flow between the half-cells.