Question

hello!!
good evening!!
what are the differences between electrolytic cell and galvanic cell ?

Answer 1

Electrochemical cell (Galvanic Cell)

A Galvanic cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Here, the redox reaction is spontaneous and is responsible for the production of electrical energy.

The two half-cells are set up in different containers, being connected through the salt bridge or porous partition.

The electrons are supplied by the species getting oxidized. They move from anode to the cathode in the external circuit.

Here the anode is negative and cathode is the positive electrode. The reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction.

Electrolytic cell

An electrolytic cell converts electrical energy into chemical energy.

The redox reaction is not spontaneous and electrical energy has to be supplied to initiate the reaction.

Both the electrodes are placed in a same container in the solution of molten electrolyte.

The external battery supplies the electrons. They enter through the cathode and come out through the anode.

Here, the anode is positive and cathode is the negative electrode. The reaction at the anode is oxidation and that at the cathode is reduction.