What is the Difference Between Electrochemical Cell and Galvanic Cell?

The main difference between an electrochemical cell and a galvanic cell lies in the direction of energy conversion. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

• Electrochemical Cell: These cells either generate electrical energy from a chemical reaction or use electrical energy to produce a chemical reaction. Electrolytic cells are a type of electrochemical cell that converts electrical energy into chemical energy.
• Galvanic Cell: Also known as voltaic cells, galvanic cells are electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy into electrical energy. These cells involve spontaneous redox reactions, which allow the continuous flow of electrons through the conductor.

Some other differences between electrochemical cells and galvanic cells include:

1. In a galvanic cell, the cathode is the positive electrode, while the anode is the negative electrode. In contrast, in an electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive electrode, and the cathode is the negative electrode.
2. In a galvanic cell, the electrons are supplied by the species getting oxidized, moving from the anode to the cathode in the external circuit. In an electrolytic cell, the external battery supplies the electrons, which enter through the cathode and come out through the anode.
3. Galvanic cells have two half-cells set up in different containers, connected through a salt bridge or porous partition. In contrast, both electrodes in an electrolytic cell are placed in the same container in the solution of molten electrolyte.

In summary, electrochemical cells can be either galvanic (voltaic) cells that convert chemical energy into electrical energy or electrolytic cells that convert electrical energy into chemical energy. Galvanic cells involve spontaneous redox reactions, while electrolytic cells involve non-spontaneous redox reactions induced by an external source of current.

Comparative Table: Electrochemical Cell vs Galvanic Cell

Here is a table comparing the differences between electrochemical cells and galvanic cells:

In summary, electrochemical cells are devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy or vice versa, while galvanic cells are a specific type of electrochemical cell that generates electrical energy from spontaneous chemical reactions. Both cell types involve redox reactions, but galvanic cells specifically use spontaneous redox reactions to convert chemical energy into electric energy.