How to teach electrochemistry at post-16

By Louise Hussein2023-07-06T08:00:00

Two halves of a lemon wired together and to a red bulb that is glowing. On the table written in chalk is a plus and minus sign and a lightning bolt

Source: © Homestudio 2/Shutterstock

Use these tips to help your students calculate redox reactions and create electrochemical cells

Electrochemistry is a challenging topic, both for teachers and their students. This article provides everything you need to thoroughly prepare to tackle the challenging aspects of the topic, and highlights common misconceptions related to electrochemical cells, like understanding the set-up, redox equations and calculations. Use the modelling approaches, diagnostic tests and visual representations to reinforce understanding and identify misconceptions. You can also use the strategies to connect macroscopic observations with sub-microscopic processes. Download the electrochemical cells misconception buster resource and use the multiple choice questions and differentiated follow-up tasks with your A-level and equivalent learners to probe their knowledge.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.