Take a microscale approach to electrochemical cells

By 2022-05-02T08:15:00

Using a voltmeter on small samples of different elements

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

How you can use Petri dish galvanic cells to support learning about electricity

The two main types of electrochemical cells, galvanic (or voltaic) and electrolytic, are fascinating and tricky to teach and learn about. Electrolytic cells are commonly found in 14–16 specifications, but galvanic cells are not always referenced. Chemistry teacher and CLEAPSS adviser David Paterson teaches both, noting that the prevalence of lithium-ion batteries in everyday life provides a great context through which to teach some fundamental chemical concepts. In this article he describes how he links metal reactivity and galvanic cells for his 14–16 learners using the simple microscale practical of making galvanic cells in Petri dishes.

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.