Key knowledge:
• galvanic cells as primary cells and as portable or fixed chemical energy storage devices that can produce electricity (details of specific cells not required) including common design features (anode, cathode, electrolytes, salt bridge and separation of half-cells) and chemical processes (electron and ion flows, half-equations and overall equations)
• the comparison of the energy transformations occurring in spontaneous exothermic redox reactions involving direct contact between reactants (transformation of chemical energy to heat energy) compared with those occurring when the reactants are separated in galvanic cells (transformation of chemical energy to electrical energy)
• the use of the electrochemical series in designing and constructing galvanic cells and as a tool for predicting the products of redox reactions, deducing overall equations from redox half-equations and determining maximum cell voltage under standard conditions.
• the operation of rechargeable batteries (secondary cells) with reference to discharging as a galvanic cell and recharging as an electrolytic cell, including the redox principles (redox reactions and polarity of electrodes) and the factors affecting battery life with reference to components and temperature (no specific battery is required).
• galvanic cells as primary cells and as portable or fixed chemical energy storage devices that can produce electricity (details of specific cells not required) including common design features (anode, cathode, electrolytes, salt bridge and separation of half-cells) and chemical processes (electron and ion flows, half-equations and overall equations)
• the comparison of the energy transformations occurring in spontaneous exothermic redox reactions involving direct contact between reactants (transformation of chemical energy to heat energy) compared with those occurring when the reactants are separated in galvanic cells (transformation of chemical energy to electrical energy)
• the use of the electrochemical series in designing and constructing galvanic cells and as a tool for predicting the products of redox reactions, deducing overall equations from redox half-equations and determining maximum cell voltage under standard conditions.
• the operation of rechargeable batteries (secondary cells) with reference to discharging as a galvanic cell and recharging as an electrolytic cell, including the redox principles (redox reactions and polarity of electrodes) and the factors affecting battery life with reference to components and temperature (no specific battery is required).