The galvanic element?

My general question is

Why does the mass of the zinc electrode decrease more and more during operation of the Daniel Element?

And why don't the electrons flow in the opposite direction? I'd be interested to know. It would be incredibly helpful if someone could answer these questions.

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DedeM
2 years ago

Moin,

that should be quite clear:

The mass of the zinc electrode decreases because the zinc atoms release electrons from the electrode and become zinc cations. However, the zinc cations no longer adhere to the electrode, but go into solution. This means that the zinc electrode loses more and more zinc atoms (in the form of zinc cations then dissolved). So she gets thinner. However, a thinner zinc electrode inevitably loses ground…

And the electrons can be (voluntarily) shifted only in the direction where they are consumed. They are required at the copper electrode to deliver them to the copper cations from the solution (by which the copper cations become copper atoms).

Since copper (+0.34 V) has the essential greater standard potential in comparison with zinc (โ€“0.76 V), i.e. the โ€œserleโ€ metal, only zinc atoms can free the more noble copper cations from their ionic state, but not vice versa.

That’s exactly how you could ask why a round pebble stone always only rolls down, but not the other way up?!

LG from the Waterkant