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| *a [[science]] that deals with the [[relation]] of [[electricity]] to [[chemical]] [[changes]] and with the interconversion of chemical and electrical [[energy]] | | *a [[science]] that deals with the [[relation]] of [[electricity]] to [[chemical]] [[changes]] and with the interconversion of chemical and electrical [[energy]] |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | '''Electrochemistry''' is a branch of [[chemistry]] that [[studies]] chemical [[reactions]] which take place in a solution at the [[interface]] of an [[electron]] conductor (a metal or a semiconductor) and an ionic conductor (the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte electrolyte]), and which involve [[electron]] [[transfer]] between the electrode and the electrolyte or species in solution. | + | '''Electrochemistry''' is a branch of [[chemistry]] that [[studies]] chemical [[reactions]] which take place in a solution at the [[interface]] of an [[electron]] conductor (a metal or a semiconductor) and an ionic conductor (the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolyte electrolyte]), and which involve [[electron]] [[transfer]] between the electrode and the electrolyte or species in solution. |
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− | If a [[chemical]] [[reaction]] is driven by an external applied [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage voltage], as in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis electrolysis], or if a voltage is created by a chemical reaction as in a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity) battery], it is an ''electrochemical'' [[reaction]]. In [[contrast]], [[chemical]] [[reactions]] where [[electrons]] are [[transferred]] between [[molecules]] are called oxidation/reduction ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox redox]) reactions. In general, ''electrochemistry'' deals with situations where [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidation oxidation] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox reduction] reactions are separated in [[space]] or [[time]], [[connected]] by an external [[electric]] [[circuit]] to [[understand]] each [[process]]. | + | If a [[chemical]] [[reaction]] is driven by an external applied [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage voltage], as in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis electrolysis], or if a voltage is created by a chemical reaction as in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity) battery], it is an ''electrochemical'' [[reaction]]. In [[contrast]], [[chemical]] [[reactions]] where [[electrons]] are [[transferred]] between [[molecules]] are called oxidation/reduction ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox redox]) reactions. In general, ''electrochemistry'' deals with situations where [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidation oxidation] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox reduction] reactions are separated in [[space]] or [[time]], [[connected]] by an external [[electric]] [[circuit]] to [[understand]] each [[process]]. |
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− | There are various extremely important ''electrochemical'' [[processes]] in both [[nature]] and industry, like the coating of objects with metals or metal oxides through electrodeposition and the detection of alcohol in drunken drivers through the redox [[reaction]] of ethanol. The generation of [[chemical]] [[energy]] through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis photosynthesis] is [[inherently]] an ''electrochemical'' [[process]], as is production of metals like aluminum and titanium from their ores. Certain diabetes blood sugar meters [[measure]] the amount of glucose in the blood through its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox redox] [[potential]]. | + | There are various extremely important ''electrochemical'' [[processes]] in both [[nature]] and industry, like the coating of objects with metals or metal oxides through electrodeposition and the detection of alcohol in drunken drivers through the redox [[reaction]] of ethanol. The generation of [[chemical]] [[energy]] through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis photosynthesis] is [[inherently]] an ''electrochemical'' [[process]], as is production of metals like aluminum and titanium from their ores. Certain diabetes blood sugar meters [[measure]] the amount of glucose in the blood through its [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox redox] [[potential]]. |
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− | The [[nervous]] [[impulses]] in [[neurons]] are based on [[electric]] current generated by the movement of sodium and potassium ions into and out of [[cells]], and certain [[animals]] like eels can generate a powerful [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage voltage] from certain cells that can disable much larger [[animals]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochemistry]] | + | The [[nervous]] [[impulses]] in [[neurons]] are based on [[electric]] current generated by the movement of sodium and potassium ions into and out of [[cells]], and certain [[animals]] like eels can generate a powerful [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage voltage] from certain cells that can disable much larger [[animals]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochemistry]] |
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| [[Category: Physics]] | | [[Category: Physics]] |
| [[Category: Chemistry]] | | [[Category: Chemistry]] |