Electrochemistry is the branch of physical chemistry that studies the relationship between electricity, as a measurable and quantitative phenomenon, and identifiable chemical change, with either electricity considered an outcome of a particular chemical change or vice versa. These reactions involve electric charges moving between electrodes and an electrolyte (or ionic species in a solution).
Questions tagged [electrochemistry]
299 questions
28
votes
4 answers
How do batteries lose capacity in winter?
One problem of electric vehicles is that the battery capacity often shrinks under low temperatures. Some batteries can lose as much as 50% of capacity in winter.
What I don’t quite understand is how the capacity shrinks. Does the low temperature…
哲煜黄
- 1,877
22
votes
5 answers
What is the difference between a battery and a charged capacitor?
What is the difference between a battery and a charged capacitor?
I can see lot of similarities between capacitor and battery. In both these charges are separated and When not connected in a circuit both can have same Potential difference V.
The…
claws
- 7,493
20
votes
5 answers
Why does connecting a battery's positive terminal to the negative terminal of another battery not create a short circuit?
This is a question regarding the physics behind the observation.
I have guessed the answer to the question, but I may be wrong, so I want to wait for the responses before posting it.
Some major considerations:
A battery's positive terminal does…
mehfoos
- 1,786
19
votes
5 answers
At an atomic level, what happens when you connect two batteries in series so that their voltages are added?
I can't for the life of me figure this out. I feel like i'm missing some crucial detail about how batteries work.
Imagine two batteries connected in series, like this:
Circuit <= -(Battery A)+ <= -(Battery B)+ <= Circuit
As far as I've studied,…
Lucas Cioffi
- 326
15
votes
3 answers
Does current run forever in water? (assuming the supply voltage is there forever)
Suppose pH of water is $6$, I think this means there is one $\text{H}^{+}$ ion for every $10^6$ water molecules.
When we plug in the battery, I believe we see a current as the $\text{H}^{+}$ ions drift to the $-ve$ side of the battery and suck the…
Hiiii
- 1,123
13
votes
3 answers
Can we call rusting of iron a combustion reaction?
In case of rusting of iron the chemical reaction is not fast enough. The oxygen used is not molecular oxygen from the atmosphere but it is the oxygen from water molecule. The reaction is not rapid and appreciable amount of heat is also not produced.…
Shinnaaan
- 1,455
12
votes
1 answer
Chemistry of electrical conductivity of pure water
I understand the electrical conductivity of pure water is very low, but not zero, and is due to the slight number of H+ and OH- ions naturally present. I understand that they will move under the influence of a potential difference and be the charge…
Paul R.
- 279
12
votes
2 answers
Why do liquid metals conduct electric current?
This is a question I wanted to ask for some time now. You learn in solid state theory that the free electron model is the reason for metals conducting electric current. The electron orbitals delocalize and electrons can move freely in the metal ion…
Robert
- 231
11
votes
4 answers
Path of an electron through an electric circuit
When a potential difference is applied across a conductor, and if an electron moves from the negative terminal of the battery and reaches the positive terminal, then I want to know if the electron will remain at the positive terminal or will it…
Samama Fahim
- 1,387
11
votes
1 answer
Why is the electric field created by a battery non-conservative?
Electromotive force(emf) or $\mathcal{E}$ is defined as $$\mathcal{E} = \oint \frac{\vec{F}}{q} \cdot \mathrm{d}\vec{s}$$ Here, $\vec{F}$ is the force which pushes the charges through a conducting wire loop, $q$ is the magnitude of charge and…
Apoorv Potnis
- 1,419
11
votes
4 answers
Why do electric pickles only glow at one end?
Original Question
The electric pickle is often used as an example of a non-ohmic resistor. In the experiment, electric current excites the sodium ions inside pickle, producing very bright and intense light effect. What I am wondering here is that…
amasics
- 587
9
votes
2 answers
What is highest water pressure at which electrolysis can be performed?
What is highest water pressure at which electrolysis can be performed to derive hydrogen and oxygen? Does the dielectric constant of water, which which lowers as pressure increases, have an effect on this?
user3058
9
votes
1 answer
Fermi level alignment and electrochemical potential between two metals
I'm trying to get a more intuitive/physical grasp of the Fermi level, like I have of electric potential. I know that, for just a single piece of metal in equilibrium, you have to have the electric potential the same at all points, because if you…
YungHummmma
- 2,963
8
votes
2 answers
Why are(n’t) rechargeable batteries damaged by partial charging?
Originally asked in ElectricalEngineering.SE, but I was told Physics.SE might be a better place to ask.
Over the years, I've come across websites and people with different opinions on the "correct" way to charge rechargeable batteries (I'm more…
Rain
- 193
7
votes
1 answer
Can a salt water solution conduct electricity forever?
We know that very pure water does not conduct electricity, but salt water is a decent conductor. This is commonly explained by saying that "the ions carry the current through the solution", an explanation that does not really make sense because it…
DanHickstein
- 596