Inorganic and Applied Chemistry

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Inorganic and Applied Chemistry

6. Electrochemistry

In a number of the chemical processes we are using in our daily life we are using electrochemistry. As the

name implies electrochemistry has to do with the transfer of electrons. In general electrochemistry is that part

of chemistry that involves the transfer between chemical and electrical energy including the generation of

electrical current from chemical processes. Hereby the principles concerning oxidation and reduction are

central part which will be introduced first in the following chapter.

6.1 Oxidation and reduction

We have in earlier chapters seen how some chemical compounds are ionic. E.g. are the well-known sodium

chloride NaCl in solid form formed from the reaction between solid sodium metal and chlorine gas I the

following reaction:

2 Na(s) + Cl 2 (g)  2 NaCl(s)

In this reaction a reaction takes place between the Na(s) and the diatomic Cl 2 molecules whereby the ionic

NaCl is formed consisting of Na+ ions and Cl- ions in a lattice. In a reaction there is a transfer of electrons

and such reactions are known as oxidation/reduction reactions or simply in short redox-reactions.

Electrochemistry



 

 



   

    



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