Questions tagged [electricity]

For questions involving electricity in the scope of chemistry. Note that questions about electrical circuits, semi-conductor diodes, etc. are off topic and more suited for EE.SE or Phy.SE.

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Advise on performance vs cost of the Berkland-Eyde Process for direct synthesis of Nitric Acid from atrmospheric air

I am new to chemistry, having gone down an electronics route in my career, so I decided to pick up where my 'O' levels ended (many years ago) and make a better understanding of the topic a sort of ...
Jay M's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
469 views

Open-circuit potential of an electrochemical cell

I'm studying electrochemistry without a physics background--never taken it for extenuating reasons--for a research project using Bard's Electrochemical Methods. I'm having trouble understanding the ...
GMoss's user avatar
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1 answer
123 views

How do the ions in electrolytes lead to lower dielectric constants compared to pure water?

I am interested in the salts used in the gel electrophoresis buffers. As I understand it, one of their roles is to change the conductivity of the medium, because otherwise the electric field would be ...
iRove's user avatar
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-1 votes
2 answers
138 views

What's the point of hydrogen ions in a PEM fuel cell?

I understand in a fuel cell, that oxidation occurs at the anode where hydrogen gas is split into hydrogen ions and electrons, the former of which travel through the electrolyte. Then, at the cathode, ...
Scratch Cat's user avatar
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3 answers
3k views

What is mAh/g Specific capacity?

In battery chemistry I've been reading about specific capacities of various electrochemical cells as $\pu{mAh/g}$. For example, in one article it says the specific capacity of the system is $\pu{75 ...
akshaykumark's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
135 views

Why are ions in a mass spectrometer accelerated through electric plates? [closed]

I was reading an article on the AP Chemistry course in Khan Academy about mass spectrometry, which had this: ... ions are then accelerated through electric plates and subsequently deflected by a ...
archthegreat's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
54 views

Are electrodes in an electrolysis unique for every electrolyte or can any random electrode be used with an electrolyte during electrolysis

For example, during the electrolysis of water, platinum electrodes are used, why can't I use any other electrode as long as they are conductors? why does some electrolysis require specific electrodes ...
Martins's user avatar
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1 answer
98 views

Why does lead gains electrons in the cathode? [closed]

In lead(II) bromide electrolysis, lead is attracted to the cathode and gains electrons. Why does it gain electrons when losing them would be easier since its charge is +2 meaning it would need to lose ...
Dee's user avatar
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How to turn a copper/zinc penny battery rechargeable?

I just saw the copper+zinc+vinegar battery also known as "penny battery" and I thought it would be perfect to make at home since I don't know anything about chemistry. In the wikipedia page ...
Fulano's user avatar
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-2 votes
1 answer
158 views

Where is the LITHIUM in NMC Cathode?

This maybe a noob question, but regarding NMC Cathodes, it is said that 33% each of Ni, Mn and Cobalt. So where is the LITHIUM supposed to be if all Ni Mn and Co already make up 100%?
JB_rox's user avatar
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What metals are safe to use as electrodes when doing electrolysis of water (I am trying to produce hydrogen gas)

I am going to be a DC power converter (with fairly high voltage and amps) to turn water into hydrogen (and oxygen) gases. However I have a few questions about the safety of this process. What ...
Josay's user avatar
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1 answer
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Would laying an atom thick piezoelectric material near a heat source generate current? [closed]

From what I’ve read, a piezoelectric material (like quartz) generates current from squeezing the molecule lattice and deforming it to make the positively charged atoms on one side and the negatively ...
user11937382's user avatar
-2 votes
2 answers
994 views

Why aren't electrolytic cells usually separated?

Galvanic cells need to be separated so that electrons will be forced to move through the external circuit, but I was wondering why electrolytic cells are usually not kept separated but rather as a ...
planckton's user avatar
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98 views

Zn galvanic cell without electrolyte?

I performed a classical experiment with Zinc-Copper galvanic cell. The zinc electrode was made from pure zinc wire, the copper electrode was made from pure copper wire, the container was a glass ...
Pawel's user avatar
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1 answer
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Hydrogen safety during electro-chemical machining

I'm interested in doing some experiments with electro-chemical machining in my shop. The process involves running electricity through an electrolyte (salt water) to break down a metal anode (aluminum/...
ZECTBynmo's user avatar
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1 answer
188 views

what are the differences between reversible cells and rechargeable cells?

My chemistry textbook says daniel cells are reversible, but not rechargeable. Why is it that all reversible cells are not rechargeable? Are all rechargeable cells reversible? why/why not?
Aben Philip's user avatar
22 votes
3 answers
2k views

True or false: "A used AA battery contains fewer moles of electrons than a new AA battery."

I recently took a Gen. Chem. 2 exam that contained this question. I answered false, but my professor said the answer is true. My reasoning was that any electrons that leave the anode end up at the ...
Logicus's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
158 views

Size and maximal power output of a battery of electrochemical reactions

For a battery working and chargeable on electrochemical reaction, how does the size of the battery affect its maximal power output? Specifically, With any chemicals/materials available and current ...
user142857's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
79 views

Hydrated electrons produced by radiation vs electrons from electrostatic charge: are they equally reactive?

One of the species generated in water or aqueous solutions by the ionizing radiations are free electrons that quickly become "hydrated" or "aqueous electrons" (see for example this ...
CFraggle's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
353 views

How to find the angle of emission of an X-ray during impact of accelerated cathode rays?

X rays are produced when accelerated cathode rays strike a metal target or a metal anode. How can we find the angle at which the X-ray is emitted from the metal anode or the target when the cathode ...
Amzal Rozan's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
106 views

What makes up the conduction band?

Prologue/Rant about online classes We have been taught the electron sea model to explain metallic bonding and conduction of electricity by metals. Then out of the blue, the band theory was introduced, ...
Humble_Snowman's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
689 views

Why does it so long for a Lithium-ion battery to be charged from 98% to 100%? [closed]

Why does it so long for an Lithium-ion battery to be charged from 98% to 100%? It is not even comparable to the effort I exerce to pump my bike tires from 95 psi to (the minimally usable) 100 psi. ...
Sam7919's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
3k views

What is the optimal voltage for storing a 3.7 V lithium polymer battery?

According to this website, storing a lithium polymer (LiPo) battery/cell at around 40% capacity would be more beneficial for the lifespan of the LiPo cell comparing storing the battery at 100% ...
Aqqqq's user avatar
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1 answer
383 views

Why do batteries drain so quickly if they are forced to draw more current than they normally do?

When a battery is pushed to use twice the current it normally does, it lasts for less than half as long before dying... In fact, batteries often come with a 'C' rating that gives you an idea of how ...
Kurt Hikes's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
171 views

Can chemical energy from food be stored in a battery? [closed]

Suppose you built a machine that digested food in a similar way as humans do. Would it be possible, in principle, to extract the chemical energy from the digested food, turn it into electricity, and ...
Nicola's user avatar
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-1 votes
2 answers
3k views

How do ions conduct electricity? [closed]

I mean to ask what do ions actually do while conducting electricity? Do they simply take up the electrons and transport it? If it is so, I do not understand how anions can take up more electrons if ...
Black Fire's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
513 views

Is electrical work equal to the change in enthalpy or internal energy?

A $\pu{0.5 A}$ current from a $\pu{20 V}$ supply is passed through a water sample. $\pu{0.9 g}$ of water is vapourised at $p = \pu{1 atm}$ and $T = \pu{373 K}$. Calculate $\Delta U$ and $\Delta H$ for ...
Priyanshu Kalal's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
75 views

A gram of salt added to pure (distilled) water introduces around $2 \times 10^{22}$ ions? [closed]

I am currently studying Practical Electronics For Inventors, Fourth Edition, by Scherz and Monk. Chapter 2.5.2 Resistivity and Conductivity, claims the following: Adding an ionic compound in the ...
The Pointer's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
96 views

Why is distilled water such a poor conductor of electricity?

Water is composed of hydronium ions and hydroxide ions. Since ions do conduct electricity, why is distilled water such a poor conductor of electricity?
Shreya Soni's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does voltage or current matter most when setting up an efficient water electrolyzer? [closed]

I am setting up a homemade water electrolyzer for producing hydrogen gas, which will solely be used by myself for experimental purposes, and have heard the wattage used has a large part to play in ...
Destro Z.'s user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
697 views

Are there ionic solids that conduct electricity?

We are taught in school that ionic substances don't conduct electricity, and when they do, it is either because they are in a molten state or because they are in solution. I understand these concepts. ...
Pedro Hablespanyos's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
18 views

Oxidative phosphorylation analogue

Does the salt bridge in galvanic cells resemble the ATP pump in the inner mitochondrial membrane? And if yes than did someone use this pH difference in harvesting this energy?
mohamed's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Kohlrausch Law and conductivity

Im writing up a lab report at the minute and part of it concerns ions in solution and how they affect conductivity. I've been doing lots of reading and I think ive got the grasp of most of it, but its ...
Mr Thirty's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
377 views

Electric fields in a galvanic cell

I have read hat there is two types of electric fields exist in galvanic cell.I understand E because of charges accumulated on electrodes but what about other E -field? What does cause this field and ...
Nanda Sinha's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
69 views

General Oxidant - Reductant Battery

In general, is it true that if I connect an aqueous oxidant to an aqueous reductant via a wire then a current flows along the wire? In particular, does current flow in the following scenario? Imagine ...
R Dev's user avatar
  • 303
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Amperage for the electrolysis of water?

I am electrolysing water using several different potential catalysts for my eight grade science fair project. The electrolysis will be running at 2 to 2.5 volts over nickel electrodes, as I do not ...
firebanner64's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
252 views

What is the safest way to hook up car battery jump cables and why? [closed]

I know that when both connecting and disconnecting battery jumper cables between two car batteries there is a prescribed safe way to do it. I can never remember the correct way because I can’t ...
Drew's user avatar
  • 25
3 votes
1 answer
93 views

Stritations in a discharge tube

I am reading about A cathode ray discharge tube and I still do not fully understand why that as you keep on lowering the pressure in the chamber it creates striations, Faraday's dark space and Crooke'...
Manav's user avatar
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-1 votes
2 answers
4k views

What happens when two galvanic cells are placed in series

I understand how a single galvanic cell works, and the relation of equilibrium and the Nernst equation. But this appears to contradict the higher voltage in a series configuration because it ...
mohamed azaiez's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
146 views

Salt Bridge for Microbial Fuel Cell: Full or Partly Full?

I'm making a microbial fuel cell out of benthic mud and salt water in containers. My salt bridge will be made of agar and table salt solidified in PVC pipes. Does the salt bridge connecting the anode (...
Maia's user avatar
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-2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Two cells are connected in series. If x g of silver are deposited in cell 1, what volume of oxygen is given off in cell 2? [closed]

I got the answer correct but I'm pretty sure my methodology was wrong. How would you solve such a question?
Mayuri Vaish's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
633 views

What are we seeing in this AC salt-water copper-wire experiment?

There's a highly watched video on YouTube by "ElectroBoom" on the effects of passing AC (not DC) current through salt water. The water gets cloudy and at the end of the video we can see one of the ...
Fizz's user avatar
  • 421
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Would an explosion of an electrically charged material be more powerful than if it were not charged?

I was recently reading a book titled "Hitler's Suppressed and Still Secret Weapons, Science and Technology". I came across this book because I saw it referenced by someone on another site. The book's ...
user73910's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
896 views

How to measure the electrical conductivity of a substance? [closed]

Suppose you are given these substances: $\ce{NaOH(aq)}$ $\ce{HCl(aq) }$ $\ce{C6H12O6(aq) }$ $\ce{NH3(l)}$ Are there rules to figure out how conductive each compound is? Is it based on ...
Vikram Kaushik's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
618 views

Can running water carry an electrical current indefinitely, and for long distances?

Okay, not a scientist, but doing a writing project that requires a little knowledge. My question is: If there's a constant source generating enough energy into running water (like a stream, surrounded ...
cal's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
887 views

Is electrolysis with AC current possible? [duplicate]

Optimizing everything else, would efficient electrolysis be possible with AC current? Most sources suggest to use DC, but can the water still be split/disassociated with AC?
Felix's user avatar
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0 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is it possible to generate electricity by using two inert electrodes in a galvanic cell?

The Daniell cell has two active electrodes, meaning that both the copper and the zink electrodes participate in the redox reaction. However, in a lemon battery for example, the copper electrode is ...
Oscar's user avatar
  • 9
-1 votes
1 answer
36 views

Atoms in Solar Cells

An electric field in solar cells is created through photons knocking electrons off of atoms. What happens to the positively charged atoms once the electrons have been knocked off? Furthermore, are the ...
Lord Farquaad - E's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
46 views

Question about the composition of a 1902 non-polarisable electrode diagram by Jagadis Bose

In his work, "Response in The Living and Non-living" (1902); page 6, Jagadis Bose describes a method for detecting nerve response. He explains that he uses iso-electric contacts with no current in the ...
ylluminate's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

In the simplest terms, what is exchange current density?

what is exchange current density, and ideally how does it relate to overpotential I know it's related to the amount of dynamics in a reaction, so it can tell us how simple or complex a reaction ...
Rose S's user avatar
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