Chemistry Concept Confusion
MCAT Student
🔬Can anyone give me advice on how to remember the difference in function between the galvanic cell and the electrolytic cell?
Best Answer
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Hi! Thanks for reaching out! So a galvanic cell is spontaneous and produces energy - like the battery in your phone powering the phone to work. The electrolytic cell NEEDS power - so that is also like the battery in your phone but when you are charging your phone. Here are some use mnemonics. FAT CAT - electrons flow From Anode To CAThode, always, in both types of cells. The difference is that in a galvanic cell this flow of electrons happens spontaneously and in an electrolytic cell the flow takes external power to work. Also, OILRIG is a good one, where Oxidation is Loss of electrons, and Reduction is Gain of electrons. Reduction happens the cathode and oxidation happens at the anode so REDCAT and ANOX are another good pair to know. Thanks!
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Answers
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Hi! Thanks for reaching out! So a galvanic cell is spontaneous and produces energy - like the battery in your phone powering the phone to work. The electrolytic cell NEEDS power - so that is also like the battery in your phone but when you are charging your phone. Here are some use mnemonics. FAT CAT - electrons flow From Anode To CAThode, always, in both types of cells. The difference is that in a galvanic cell this flow of electrons happens spontaneously and in an electrolytic cell the flow takes external power to work. Also, OILRIG is a good one, where Oxidation is Loss of electrons, and Reduction is Gain of electrons. Reduction happens the cathode and oxidation happens at the anode so REDCAT and ANOX are another good pair to know. Thanks!
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Thank you!
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