What is the Difference Between Voltaic Cell and Electrolytic Cell?

The main difference between a voltaic cell and an electrolytic cell lies in the type of reactions they are involved in and the energy source they use. Here are the key differences:

• Voltaic Cell:
• Also known as a galvanic cell, it uses the energy released during a spontaneous redox reaction to generate electricity.
• Spontaneous redox reactions convert chemical energy to electric energy.
• Electric energy is generated by redox reactions.
• The cathode is the positive electrode, and the anode is the negative electrode.
• Electrolytic Cell:
• Consumes electrical energy from an external source to force a non-spontaneous redox reaction to occur.
• Non-spontaneous redox reactions convert the electric energy to chemical energy.
• Electric energy brings about a chemical reaction with the help of an external source.
• Both types of cells have a cathode and anode side, with a consistent flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode.

In summary, a voltaic cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy using spontaneous redox reactions, while an electrolytic cell does the opposite, converting electrical energy into chemical energy to drive non-spontaneous redox reactions.

Comparative Table: Voltaic Cell vs Electrolytic Cell

Here is a table summarizing the differences between voltaic cells and electrolytic cells:

Voltaic cells, also known as galvanic cells, use spontaneous redox reactions to generate electrical energy, while electrolytic cells use electrical energy from an external source to force a reaction.