Question

What is electrochemistry? What are redox reactions? Explain the difference between a galvanic cell and an electrolytic cell.

Short answer

Electrochemistry deals with the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy. Redox reactionis a type of reaction in which oxidation and reduction takes place simultaneously.Galvanic cell is a cell which converts the chemical energy into electrical energy. On the other hand, anelectrolytic cell is a cell which converts the electrical energy into chemical energy.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Redox reaction

The interconversion of chemical energy and electrical energy comes under electrochemistry. Theinterconversion of energy takes place through the process of reduction and oxidation. A chemical reactionproduces the flow of electrons and in the reverse reaction; a chemical reaction is generated through passingelectricity. The reaction in which oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons) both takes placesimultaneously is known as a redox reaction.

Difference between galvanic cell and an electrolytic cell

Galvanic cell	Electrolytic cell
A cell which converts the chemical energy into electrical energy.	A cell which converts the electrical energy into chemical energy.
A spontaneous reaction takes place.	A non-spontaneous reaction takes place.
The negatively charged electrode is termed as anode and the positively charged electrode is termed as cathode. Electrolytic cell	The negatively charged electrode is termed as cathode and the positively charged electrode is termed as anode.