Take a microscale approach to electrochemical cells

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.