How does the CuSO₄ concentration affect the voltage
produced by a Daniell cell?
Thien-An Le
INTRODUCTION Discussion
This investigation explores how varying CuSO ₄ concentrations affect voltage in The experiment showed that increasing CuSO₄ concentration led to a
a Daniell cell. Lower concentrations reduce electron pull and voltage, while slight but consistent increase in the voltage of a Daniell cell(graph1).
higher concentrations increase available Cu² ⁺ ions, enhancing electron flow At lower concentrations (0.1M, 0.5M, and 1.0M), voltages ranged from
and voltage. The Nernst equation was used to predict voltages under non- 1.05 V to 1.0675V. At higher concentrations (1.5M and 2.0M), voltages
standard conditions 1. were 1.0825V and 1.0925V. This trend occurred because higher Cu²⁺
Aim: To investigate the effect of CuSO₄ electrolyte concentration on voltage of
a Daniell cell.
concentrations provided more ions to gain electrons at the cathode,
Hypothesis: As the CuSO₄electrolyte concentration increases, the voltage pulling electrons more strongly away from the zinc anode. As a
produced increases. result, the cell was driven further from equilibrium, increasing the
potential difference between half-cells. The trend demonstrated a
Methodology and methods clear positive correlation: as CuSO₄ concentration increased, the
voltage increased. The colour of the CuSO₄ solution also became
As the CuSO₄
darker with higher concentrations, supporting the presence of more
Prepare CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and KNO 3
Cu²⁺ ions. Overall, this experiment confirmed that electrolyte
solutions, assemble galvanic cell with concentration significantly affects voltage by influencing how far the
reaction shifts from equilibrium conditions.
concentrations
KNO3 salt bridge, connect electrodes, Therefore, CuSO₄ concentration does affect the voltage produced by
measure voltages at various CuSO₄ a galvanic cell(specifically Daniell Cell), as lower concentrations
concentrations(refer to figure1). resulted in lower voltages while higher concentrations resulted in
increases, the
Refer to full method on pg. 18 of higher voltages. The results confirmed the hypothesis; higher CuSO₄
logbook. concentrations resulted in higher voltages.
The measured voltages were lower than those predicted by the
Nernst equation, likely due to extraneous variables such as
voltage of a
uncontrolled room temperature, dirty electrodes, and inconsistent
Results salt bridge lengths. Methodological limitations included a voltmeter
with low precision, only two trials per concentration, and a limited
range of CuSO₄ concentrations. These factors may have reduced the
Daniell cell
As the CuSO₄
accuracy and reliability of the results. Improvements include using
concentration increases, more precise equipment, increasing trials, and testing additional
the voltage produced by concentrations.
the Daniell cell increases.
increases.
This experiment can be used as a baseline in chemistry to study the
In the lowest CuSO₄ relationship between electrolyte concentration and voltage and be
concentration(0.1M), the expanded further to explore the effects of temperature on the
voltage produced was voltage of the cell. Future researchers should minimise extraneous
1.05V, while in the highest variables to improve accuracy and deepen understanding of
concentration(2.0M), the electrolyte concentration’s impact on voltage.
voltage produced was
1.0925V(table1).
Conclusion
The aim of the investigation was achieved: it found that
varying CuSO₄ concentrations affects the voltage of a cell. In
cells with lower CuSO₄ concentrations(0.1M-1.0M), the
voltage produced was lower(1.05V-1.0675V), whereas in
higher CuSO₄ concentrations(1.5M and 2.0M) the voltage
produced was higher(1.0825V and 1.0925V). Therefore,
indicating that higher CuSO₄ electrolyte concentrations
results in higher voltages, supporting the initial hypothesis.
produced by a Daniell cell?
Thien-An Le
INTRODUCTION Discussion
This investigation explores how varying CuSO ₄ concentrations affect voltage in The experiment showed that increasing CuSO₄ concentration led to a
a Daniell cell. Lower concentrations reduce electron pull and voltage, while slight but consistent increase in the voltage of a Daniell cell(graph1).
higher concentrations increase available Cu² ⁺ ions, enhancing electron flow At lower concentrations (0.1M, 0.5M, and 1.0M), voltages ranged from
and voltage. The Nernst equation was used to predict voltages under non- 1.05 V to 1.0675V. At higher concentrations (1.5M and 2.0M), voltages
standard conditions 1. were 1.0825V and 1.0925V. This trend occurred because higher Cu²⁺
Aim: To investigate the effect of CuSO₄ electrolyte concentration on voltage of
a Daniell cell.
concentrations provided more ions to gain electrons at the cathode,
Hypothesis: As the CuSO₄electrolyte concentration increases, the voltage pulling electrons more strongly away from the zinc anode. As a
produced increases. result, the cell was driven further from equilibrium, increasing the
potential difference between half-cells. The trend demonstrated a
Methodology and methods clear positive correlation: as CuSO₄ concentration increased, the
voltage increased. The colour of the CuSO₄ solution also became
As the CuSO₄
darker with higher concentrations, supporting the presence of more
Prepare CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and KNO 3
Cu²⁺ ions. Overall, this experiment confirmed that electrolyte
solutions, assemble galvanic cell with concentration significantly affects voltage by influencing how far the
reaction shifts from equilibrium conditions.
concentrations
KNO3 salt bridge, connect electrodes, Therefore, CuSO₄ concentration does affect the voltage produced by
measure voltages at various CuSO₄ a galvanic cell(specifically Daniell Cell), as lower concentrations
concentrations(refer to figure1). resulted in lower voltages while higher concentrations resulted in
increases, the
Refer to full method on pg. 18 of higher voltages. The results confirmed the hypothesis; higher CuSO₄
logbook. concentrations resulted in higher voltages.
The measured voltages were lower than those predicted by the
Nernst equation, likely due to extraneous variables such as
voltage of a
uncontrolled room temperature, dirty electrodes, and inconsistent
Results salt bridge lengths. Methodological limitations included a voltmeter
with low precision, only two trials per concentration, and a limited
range of CuSO₄ concentrations. These factors may have reduced the
Daniell cell
As the CuSO₄
accuracy and reliability of the results. Improvements include using
concentration increases, more precise equipment, increasing trials, and testing additional
the voltage produced by concentrations.
the Daniell cell increases.
increases.
This experiment can be used as a baseline in chemistry to study the
In the lowest CuSO₄ relationship between electrolyte concentration and voltage and be
concentration(0.1M), the expanded further to explore the effects of temperature on the
voltage produced was voltage of the cell. Future researchers should minimise extraneous
1.05V, while in the highest variables to improve accuracy and deepen understanding of
concentration(2.0M), the electrolyte concentration’s impact on voltage.
voltage produced was
1.0925V(table1).
Conclusion
The aim of the investigation was achieved: it found that
varying CuSO₄ concentrations affects the voltage of a cell. In
cells with lower CuSO₄ concentrations(0.1M-1.0M), the
voltage produced was lower(1.05V-1.0675V), whereas in
higher CuSO₄ concentrations(1.5M and 2.0M) the voltage
produced was higher(1.0825V and 1.0925V). Therefore,
indicating that higher CuSO₄ electrolyte concentrations
results in higher voltages, supporting the initial hypothesis.
