Electrochemical Cells Experiment will it work?

[Colby]

Hello, everyone. I have a project for science fair that I would like to do, but I need verification to see if this will work like I think it will.

My experiment's name is "The Effects of Electricity and Configuration on an Electrochemical Cell". It's wordy, but what can I do? Anyhow, my experiment is to first build a galvanic cell by using a zinc electrode, a copper electrode, a 1 M solution of copper (II) sulfate, and a 1 M solution of zinc sulfate. I'm going to use instead of a salt bridge a porous cup, and I'm measuring my voltage (should be 1.1 volts) with a voltmeter. The reaction in this cell should plate copper on the copper electrode and dissolve away the zinc electrode. My experiment is to see if I can reverse this process by adding electricity.

Basically, I'm going to start with a fresh set of electrodes and solutions, identical to the ones I used in my galvanic cell. But, this time, instead of a voltmeter, I'm inserting a 12V hobby battery into the mixture. I'm connecting the positive end to the zinc electrode.

What I would like to know is "Will this do something unforseeably dangerous?" and "How quick is this reaction going to take place?" If I add more energy, will it speed up the process? I'm only in the 9th grade, so I haven't taken chemistry yet, so please help! Thanks.

 

[Nate810]

It is possible that your experiment could be dangerous, as it involves electricity and chemicals. It is important that you take the necessary precautions to handle both safely. Additionally, it would be helpful to have an adult or someone with experience in working with electricity and/or chemistry supervise you as you do your experiment. In terms of the speed of the reaction, it will depend on a variety of factors such as the size of the electrodes, the concentration of the solutions, and the amount of electricity that you are supplying. Generally, increasing the amount of electricity should increase the rate of the reaction. However, it is hard to predict exactly how quickly the reaction will take place without conducting the experiment.

 

[wais]

Hi there,

First of all, great job on coming up with such a detailed and interesting experiment for your science fair project! It's clear that you have put a lot of thought and effort into it.

To answer your first question, no, this experiment should not be dangerous as long as you take proper safety precautions. Make sure to wear protective gear and handle all chemicals and equipment with care. It's always a good idea to have an adult or teacher supervise your experiment as well.

As for the reaction taking place and the speed of the process, it will depend on a few factors such as the concentration of the solutions, the surface area of the electrodes, and the strength of the battery. Adding more energy will likely speed up the process, but it's important to monitor the experiment closely and make sure it doesn't become too violent or produce unexpected results.

Since you are in 9th grade and haven't taken chemistry yet, I would recommend doing some research on electrochemical cells and how they work before conducting your experiment. This will help you understand the principles behind your project and make any necessary adjustments to ensure its success.

Overall, I think your experiment has the potential to work and yield interesting results. Just remember to approach it with caution and seek guidance from a teacher or mentor if needed. Best of luck with your science fair project!