[hon62]

can anyone tell me the function of electrolyte of the simple electrochemical cell
I did an experiment with zinc and copper as electrodes but with all 1 M ZnSO4,   H2SO4, CuSO4, NaCl solution,voltage measure ranked 1,2,3,4
I have to find out why there are voltage different causing from different electrolyte
Can anyone help?

[ARGOS++]

Dear hon62;

Wiki and Internet can tell you a lot about.  ─   And would you please read:   "Forum Rules” (4. & 8.)

Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺

[hon62]

I searched thro' internet including wiki and books
It focuses mainly on the effect of the material making up the electrodes
Seldom talk about how the electrolyte affects the voltage readings of the ECC
Definitely I know effect of electrodes on the voltage but I don't know the effect of the electrolyte
please help

[Borek]

Electrolyte can change concentration of the ions reacting on the electrode (complexing them for example). Change in concentration shifts electrode potential - that's just application of Nernst equation combined with calculation of equilibrium.

Electrolyte can change ionic strength of the solution, modifying activities of ions.

These are the most important effects.

[hon62]

The problem is, why different electrolyte will get different result with same electrodes,
does it mean more active ionic exchange between electrode and electrolyte will result to a different result in the meter? How come from table, the E of different materials as electrode?

[Borek]

Either you are asking abou tthings that I have already epxlained, or I don't understand you. Please reword your question.

And google overpotential.

[hon62]

The experiment is:
construct a simple electrochemical cell
using zinc and copper as electrodes
(not Danielle half cell)
the variables are different electrolyte with same concentration (1M conc 100ml in volume)
electrolyte:
znSO4 -  1.0762V
CuSO4 - 0.940V
H2SO4 - 0.966V
NaCl - 0.770V
many information talk about the voltage generated by different electrodes of different materials, e.g. Mg, etc
but very few information is concerning with the effect of different electrolyte of same conc. in this situation
why there is voltage different of same electrode with different electrolyte?
Is there any relation between the bonding, metallic/covalent? strong acid?
I look thro' several textbooks and search the net (including wiki) but still I can't get the answer.
Thanks