Question

26 Which process occurs in an operating voltaic cell?(1) Electrical energy is converted to chemical energy.

Answer 1

Answer is: (2) Chemical energy is converted to electrical energy.

An electrochemical cell (voltaic or galvanic cell) is generating electrical energy from chemical reactions.

In galvanic cell, specie (for example zinc and zinc cations) from one half-cell, lose electrons (oxidation) and species from the other half-cell (for example copper and copper cations) gain electrons (reduction).

Oxidation on the zinc anode: Zn(s) → Zn²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻.

Reduction on the copper cathode: Cu²⁺(aq) + 2e⁻ → Cu(s).

Answer 2

The answer is (2) chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. The choice of (1) describes the electrolytic cell. The oxidation takes place at the anode and reduction takes place at the cathode.