Name: ACIDERA, CORTO, DE VICENTE, NATIVIDAD, TOMABIAO GROUP #8

Course/Section: BET – DMT 1A Date Performed: 01/18/2023

EXPERIMENT No. 6
VOLTAIC CELLS

INTRODUCTION:
In this experiment, we will be learning on how to voltaic cells works and differentiation of
Ionization tendencies of metals. But first we should define what voltaic cells is. A voltaic cell, also
referred to as a galvanic cell, generates electricity. A spontaneous chemical reaction, specifically a
spontaneous redox reaction, is the source of this energy.

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this experiment, the students are expected to:
1. Make a voltaic cell using the principle of ionization tendencies ofdifferent metals.
2. Arrange metals in decreasing order of their ionization tendencies.

MATERIALS:
 30 cm copper wire with alligator clips, 1 x 3 cm Zn strip, 1 x 3 copper strip, ammeter (1A),
150 mL and 250 mL beakers, filter paper, glass plate, 4 different metal strips, sand paper,
1N H2SO4, conc. HNO3
PROCEDURE:
A. Voltaic Cell
1. Clean a 1 x 3 cm copper strip and a 1 x 3 cm zinc strip with a sand paper.
2. Place 80 mL of 1N H2SO4 in a 250 mL beaker.
3. Connect the Cu strip to the positive terminal and the Zn strip to the negative terminal
of the ammeter with connecting copper wires. Puncture a hole on one end of each
strip then insert the Cu wire if alligator clips are not available.
4. Immerse the electrodes in the 1N H2SO4.
5. Observe the deflection of the pointer of the ammeter and the changes taking place in
the electrodes. Record your observations.
6. Remove the electrodes from the beaker then add 5 mL of concentrated HNO3 to the
H2SO4.
7. Immerse the electrodes again. Observe the deflection of the pointer of the ammeter.
PREPARED BY: E.V.SILFAVAN, C.D.SACDALAN, M.S.P.RODIL, M.C.T. CABILDO & E.S.CAPINDING
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TUP MANILA, SY 2020-2021

33
 Compare it with that without HNO3.
B. Ionization Potentials of Metals
1. Get four unknown metal chips/strips from your instructor.
2. Clean each metal as in procedure A1.
3. Place the metals on a piece of filter paper moistened with 1N NaCl placed on a glass
plate.
4. Taking two metals at a time as electrodes, determine the direction of the flow of
current by the deflection of the pointer of the ammeter. If the deflection of the pointer
is to the right, the metals are connected to the correct terminals of the ammeter, if
not, immediately reverse the connections. Record which metal serves as the positive
electrode and which serve as the negative electrode.

PREPARED BY: E.V.SILFAVAN, C.D.SACDALAN, M.S.P.RODIL, M.C.T. CABILDO & E.S.CAPINDING

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TUP MANILA, SY 2020-2021

34
Name: ACIDERA, CORTO, DE VICENTE, NATIVIDAD, TOMABIAO GROUP #8
Course/Section: BET – DMT 1A Date Performed: 01/18/2023

EXPERIMENT No. 6
VOLTAIC CELLS

PREPARED BY: E.V.SILFAVAN, C.D.SACDALAN, M.S.P.RODIL, M.C.T. CABILDO & E.S.CAPINDING

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TUP MANILA, SY 2020-2021

35
OBSERVATIONS:
A. Voltaic Cell

METAL STRIPS CHANGES AROUND THE SURFACE OF THE STRIP

Copper Thicker

Zinc Thinner, formed bubbles

Comparison of the deflection of the pointer of the ammeter before and after theaddition of HNO3
After adding the HNO3, the deflection on the ammeter increases which means the
nitric acids affects the solution.

B. Ionization Tendencies of Metals

A = LEAD (Pb), B = ZINC (Zn), C = ALUMINUM (Al), D = COPPER (Cu)

ELECTRODES POSITIVE NEGATIVE

A&B Zn Pb
A&C Al Pb
A&D Pb Cu
B&C Al Zn
B&D Zn Cu
C&D Al Cu

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:
A. 1. From your observations, write the reaction that occurs in each electrode.

a. Positive electrode :
 Positive electrode reduces accepting electron in it.
b. Negative electrode :
 Negative electrode oxidizes giving off electrons in it.

PREPARED BY: E.V.SILFAVAN, C.D.SACDALAN, M.S.P.RODIL, M.C.T. CABILDO & E.S.CAPINDING

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TUP MANILA, SY 2020-2021

36
 2. What kind of reaction occurs at the
a. Cathode (+ electrode)
 In the cathode, the reduction reaction occurs.
b. Anode (- electrode)
 In the anode, the oxidation reaction occurs.
3. Explain your observation about the deflection of the pointer of theammeter
before and after the addition of HNO3
On our observation, after adding the HNO3. The deflection on the ammeter
increases which means the nitric acids affects the solution.
4. Which of the unknown metals has the highest ionization tendency? Explain your
answer.
Zinc (Zn) has the highest ionization level in the four metals given.
With the ionization energy of 906 kJ/mol. Designating that it has
the highest energy needed to remove the outermost electron.
5. Which has the lowest ionization tendency? Explain
Aluminum (Al) has lowest ionization tendency among the four. Signifying
that it takes only a small amount of energy to remove the outermost
electron.
6. Arrange the metals in decreasing order of their ionization tendencies.
 High to low ionization tendencies
Zn Cu Pb Al

APPLICATION:
1. Why are primary cells such as the carbon-zinc cells not rechargeable whilesecondary
cells such as the lead storage cells are rechargeable?
In the primary cells such as in the given, the irreversible reactions occur.
While on the secondary cells, reversible reaction occurs in which they can
recharge.
2. The voltage output of a voltaic cell depends on what factors?
The voltage of a cell may depend on many factors which is the electrode
materials, the components and concentrations of the solutions, the type of
liquid junction, the temperature, and the pressure. It can also depend on the
electrical current that flow from the cell.

PREPARED BY: E.V.SILFAVAN, C.D.SACDALAN, M.S.P.RODIL, M.C.T. CABILDO & E.S.CAPINDING

CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TUP MANILA, SY 2020-2021

37