Question

The charge has to be passed ______ to obtain maximum work from a galvanic cell.
1. uniformly
2. inversely
3. proportionately
4. reversibly

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : reversibly

The correct answer is reversibly.

• There are two types of electrochemical cells: galvanic, also called Voltaic, and electrolytic.
  • Galvanic cells derive their energy from spontaneous redox reactions.
  • Electrolytic cells involve non-spontaneous reactions and thus require an external electron source like a DC battery or an AC power source.

• Galvanic cells traditionally are used as sources of DC electrical power.
• Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction occurs at the cathode. Since the reaction at the anode is the source of electrons for the current, the anode is the negative terminal for the galvanic cell.
• The maximum work of a galvanic cell is equal to Gibb's free energy of the cell.
  • Only happen when the cell is used reversibly.
  • The reversible work done by a galvanic cell is equal to a decrease in its Gibbs energy.