Chemistry · Virtual lab
The Daniell Cell
Run a real galvanic cell: close the switch, watch zinc dissolve and copper plate out, and find out what happens when the salt bridge is taken away.
Background
The Daniell cell is a classic galvanic (voltaic) cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through a spontaneous redox reaction. It consists of a zinc electrode in zinc sulphate solution and a copper electrode in copper sulphate solution, connected by a salt bridge.
At the anode, zinc is oxidised (Zn → Zn²⁺ + 2e⁻), and at the cathode, copper ions are reduced (Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu). The electrons flow through an external circuit from zinc to copper, producing a cell potential of approximately 1.1 V. The salt bridge maintains electrical neutrality by allowing ions to migrate between the half-cells.
In this virtual lab you assemble the Daniell cell, close the circuit, observe zinc dissolving and copper plating out, measure the cell voltage, and investigate what happens when the salt bridge is removed.
What you will learn
- Assemble a Daniell cell with zinc and copper half-cells
- Understand the role of the salt bridge
- Observe the oxidation and reduction reactions
- Measure the electromotive force (EMF) of the cell
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