a simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. here, we’ll show you how it...

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A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works. A Chemical Cell The Copper-Zinc Cell

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Page 1: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works.

A Chemical Cell

The Copper-Zinc Cell

Page 2: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We’ll construct this cell. We start with two empty containers…

containers

Page 3: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We place a strip of copper metal in one of them. We call this a copper electrode.

Cucopper

electrode

Page 4: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

A metal is composed of neutral atoms. We’ll show (click) a few neutral copper atoms on this electrode.

CuCu

Cu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

copper electrode

Page 5: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In the other container, we’ll place a piece of zinc metal, which we call the zinc electrode.

Cu ZnCu

Cu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

zinc electrode

Page 6: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We’ll show a few neutral zinc atoms (click) on this electrode.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

zinc electrode

Page 7: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We obtain an ammeter. A ammeter measures the rate of flow of electrons, or current.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

ammeter

A

Page 8: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We’ll attach the ammeter to each electrode using conducting wires.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

+–

+–A

wires

Page 9: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

wires are composed of neutral atoms, which have the same number of protons as electrons.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

Wires are composed of neutral

atoms

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 10: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Because protons are positive, we’ll represent protons in the wires by positive charges

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

protons

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 11: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And electrons are negative, so we’ll represent electrons by negative charges.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

electrons

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 12: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Protons in all materials are in fixed positions in the nuclei of atoms, so they don’t move in the wires.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

protons are infixed positions

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 13: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

But in metals, electrons can move easily

ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

Cu++++++++++++++++++

++

–––

––

+ +–––––––––––––– – –A

electrons

Page 14: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In the container with the copper electrode, we add some copper(II) nitrate solution

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

Cu(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 15: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Copper(II) nitrate consists of (click) copper 2 plus ions and (click) nitrate ions. These ions are free to move around in the solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 16: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The three copper 2+ ions we’ve represented here, have total charge of positive 6.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

+6

Page 17: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And the six nitrate ions we’ve represented have a total charge of negative 6, so at this point, charges are balanced in this solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

–6

Page 18: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In the beaker with the zinc electrode, we add zinc nitrate solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 19: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Zinc nitrate solutions consists of (click) zinc 2 plus ions and (click) nitrate ions

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 20: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The zinc 2+ ion we’ve represented here has a charge of positive 2.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

+2

Page 21: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And the two nitrate ions we’ve represented have total charge of negative 2. So at this point, charges are also balanced in this solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

–2

Page 22: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Between the two containers we add (click) an inverted U tube with a solution of a salt like potassium nitrate, KNO3.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

KNO3

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 23: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

We call this a salt bridge.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu 3NO

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

KNO3

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 24: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

KNO3 solution consists of K plus and NO3 minus ions. Like all ions in solutions, these ions are free to move.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+KNO3

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 25: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Now we’ll focus on the zinc electrode and have a look at one of the zinc atoms.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

Page 26: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

This zinc atom loses two electrons and changes into a zinc 2 plus ion, as shown by the equation Zn gives Zn2+ plus 2 electrons. This ion then (click) leaves the metal and is dissolved in the solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–A

–2Zn Z

n–

Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 27: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The electrons supplied by the zinc push the other electrons through the wire (click twice while watching)

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

AZn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 28: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

AZn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 29: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Meanwhile, over at the copper electrode, a copper 2+ ion moves to the surface of the electrode.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

–––

AZn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 30: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The two extra electrons on the copper electrode (click), move onto the Copper 2+ ion

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

2Cu

––

Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 31: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The copper 2+ ion gains these electrons and changes into a neutral copper atom, as shown by the equation Cu2+ plus 2 electrons forms Cu.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

2Cu –Cu–

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 32: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

This whole process keeps repeating itself, causing electrons to continuously move through the ammeter.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

Cu(NO3)2 Zn(NO3)2

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Page 33: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Now, we’ll focus on the ions in the container with the copper(II) nitrate solution

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Cu(NO3)2

Page 34: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In our example, one copper(II) ion was used up.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

Cu(NO3)2

used up

Page 35: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The two copper ions that now remain, have a total charge of positive 4.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

+4

Page 36: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And the six nitrate ions have total charge of negative 6.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

–6

Page 37: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

So there is an excess of negative charge in the solution in the container on the left.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

Page 38: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Now, we’ll focus on the container on the right, with the zinc nitrate solution.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

Zn(NO3)2

Page 39: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In our example, one zinc 2+ ion was produced…

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

Zn(NO3)2

produced

Page 40: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

The two zinc 2+ ions that are now present, have total charge of positive 4

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

+4

Page 41: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And the two nitrate ions have a total charge of negative 2.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

–2

Page 42: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

So there is an excess of positive charge in the solution in the container on the right.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

excess of positive charge

Page 43: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

In order to balance charges, positive ions tend to move (click) toward the left through the salt bridge, away from the side with excess positive charge and toward the side with excess negative charge.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

2Zn 3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

K+

K+

K+

K+

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

K+

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

excess of positive charge

K+

Page 44: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And negative ions tend to (click) move toward the container on the right, away from the side with excess negative charge and toward the side with excess positive charge.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

excess of negative charge

excess of positive charge

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn

Page 45: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

So the salt bridge is an important part of a chemical cell. It allows positive and negative ions to move through it so that the charges in the solutions remain balanced. Without a salt bridge, a chemical cell would not work.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

A

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Allows ions to

move so charges

are balance

d

Page 46: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

If we were to replace the ammeter with a voltmeter,

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Page 47: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Under what are called standard conditions, this cell would initially have a voltage of 1.1 volts.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Voltage = 1.1 volts

Page 48: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

As this cell operates (click), zinc atoms will continue to dissolve to form zinc ions as they lose electrons…

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Page 49: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

And (click) copper 2+ ions will continue to gain electrons as they form copper atoms.

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Page 50: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

As zinc atoms on the zinc electrode dissolve,

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Zinc atoms are dissolved

Page 51: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

Cu2+ + 2e– Cu Zn Zn2+ + 2e–

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Zinc atoms are dissolved

And copper 2+ ions in the copper(II) nitrate solution are used up, the voltage supplied by this cell will gradually decrease,

Cu2+ ions are used

up

Page 52: A simple chemical cell can be set up using copper and zinc electrodes. Here, we’ll show you how it works

Cu ZnZn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

Zn

ZnZ

nZn

ZnZ

nZn

Zn

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu Cu

CuCu

Cu

3NO

3NO

2Cu

2Cu

3NO3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

salt bridge

++++++++++++++++++

++ –

––––––––

––– –––––––

+–

+–

2Zn

––––

V

Cu

K+

K+

K+K

+

K+

K+

2Zn 3NO

3NO

3NO 3NO

3NO

3NO

3NO

Zinc atoms are dissolved

and will over time, drop to zero.

Cu2+ ions are used

up

Voltage = 0 volts