Answer to Question #112895 in General Chemistry for faith Oladipo

Question

Nernst Equation: E = E° – (RT/nF) ln Q
Go = -nFEo = -RTlnK


1. Using Cell Notation and in not more than 2 lines, describe how to make a battery at home from plant sources
My Electrolyte = __________________

2. Write balanced half-cell and overall equations for the reaction taking place in your described battery in 1.

Answer 1

A lemon battery is made with a lemon and two metallic electrodes of different metals such as a copper penny or wire and a galvanized (zinc coated) nail. 

n a lemon battery, both oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons) occur. This battery is similar to the original "simple voltaic cells" invented by Alessandro Volta (see below). At the anode, metallic zinc is oxidized, and enters the acidic solution as Zn2+ ions:

Zn --> Zn2 + + 2 e-

At the copper cathode, hydrogen ions (solvated protons from the acidic solution in the lemon) are reduced to form molecular hydrogen: 

2H++ 2e- --> H2