Electrochemical Cells — They Keep Going and Going
The purpose of this experiment was to determine which factors affect the output of an electrochemical cell. Three factors, surface area of electrodes, concentration of the electrolyte solution, and the temperature of the electrolyte, were varied to find the combination that produced the highest voltage and the lowest internal resistance. The battery consisted of an aluminum anode, a copper cathode, and a potassium hydroxide electrolyte. We found that the highest voltage occurred with a low concentration of potassium hydroxide, a cold temperature, and when the surface area of the electrodes was both highest and lowest. The lowest internal resistance was reached when the surface area of the electrodes was lowest, the concentration of the electrolyte was highest, and the temperature was highest. We were unable, however, to obtain the highest voltage and the lowest internal resistance with the same combination of factors. The temperature of the electrolyte solution was the most significant factor for both voltage and internal resistance.
Research Done By:
Anthony Mulka
Cousino
Shawn Rink
Warren Mott
Warren Consolidated Schools