Introduction to Electrochemistry

1. Introduction

Electrochemistry focuses on electrochemical changes in chemical systems. You will explore these concepts by learning the principles involved in the operation of a technology you probably use every day—a commercial electric cell, sometimes called a battery.   In this unit you will look at chemical systems, and you will investigate them as electrochemical systems—systems involving an exchange of electrons. Electrochemical systems are numerous and varied. Electrochemical systems include, for example, biological and non-biological systems and natural and technological systems.

Redox Reactions Unit introduces the scientific principles associated with reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions. You will learn how redox reactions can be used to analyze and predict changes in a chemical system and to perform quantitative analysis. This module will support the work you will do in Module 4.

Batteries in Balance explores how technologies, like the commercial electric cell, involve an application of redox reactions. You will use your knowledge of electrochemical change to observe, analyze, and evaluate the design and function of electric and electrolytic cells.

Together these modules develop your understanding that some types of chemical change involve a transfer of electrons. In the last unit of this course you will explore chemical reactions that involve proton transfer reactions. You will apply many of the principles you learn in Unit B to your work throughout this course. 

At the end of Electrochemistry you will be able to

• explain the nature of oxidation-reduction reactions
• apply the principles of oxidation-reduction to electrochemical cells
• analyze scientific and technological systems that apply electrochemical principles

2. Bigger Picture

It’s the end of a long day. Your end-of-day routine probably includes checking your cell phone, your MP3 player, and a few other devices to see if their batteries need to be recharged. You probably haven’t considered all the other devices in your home that rely on batteries in order to work.

The batteries in a laptop computer or in a cordless telephone provide you with great convenience, but at what cost? While some batteries are rechargeable, others are not. Every battery has a certain lifespan. When a battery reaches the end of its lifespan, it is usually just thrown away without further thought. However, batteries that end up in landfills can leak toxic chemicals into the environment.

If you ever make a trip to the Eco Station or special waste handling facility in your area, you might be amazed by how many electronic devices are disposed of. What about the batteries that powered these devices? Is it time to think about your use of batteries and to make some changes in how you use them?

In this unit you will learn about the design and operation of electrochemical cells. You will apply your understanding of electrochemical change learned in Redox Reactions. You will continue to use tools like the “Table of Selected Standard Electrode Potentials,” your ability to predict spontaneous and non-spontaneous reduction-oxidation reactions, and stoichiometry throughout Batteries in Balance.

3. Redox Reactions

Metals are fantastic materials to use for structural components or for decoration. Sometimes, however, metals react when they are exposed to air, water, or other substances. In some situations the reaction decreases the performance of the object. In extreme cases, metal fatigue or failure can have drastic consequences, such as when metal fatigue causes a large structure to collapse.

A great deal of scientific work and technological development has gone into studying metals and into preventing metal corrosion. If you consider how many of the objects you use involve metals, you will understand why so much attention is placed on understanding corrosion.

In this unit you will investigate the following questions:

• What properties of metals make them popular choices in the construction and production of materials?
• How can an understanding of corrosion allow for better selection of materials and for development of methods that reduce material damage?

4. Batteries and Balance

When you look at this picture, do you see many different kinds of batteries or do you see many different shapes of the same chemical system? Your answer might indicate whether you view batteries from a technological perspective or from a scientific perspective.

In this module you will extend and apply your understanding of electrochemical change to understanding the design and function of a variety of types of electrochemical cells, one of which is the electric cell—the technology used in batteries and in other applications.

You will use the skills and techniques you have been developing to analyze and predict change in electrochemical systems. You will do this within the context of electric and electrolytic cells. You will also investigate the technological aspects of, and your reliance on, these chemical systems.

As you investigate the electrochemical cells introduced in this module, you will see how chemical knowledge about reduction-oxidation reactions is applied to solving problems and expanding capabilities. You will consider the purpose and impact of different types of electrochemical cells.

In this unit you will investigate the following question:

• How are principles of oxidation and reduction applied to electrochemical cells?

5. Check Your Understanding

Click here to attempt the PreQuiz for this unit.  You must earn at least a 70% on the PreQuiz before you are able to proceed to the first lesson.

6. Continue to First Lesson

Click here to continue to the Lessons