Alternative Daniell Cells as a First Encounter with the Electrochemistry of Batteries: A High School Chemistry Competition Laboratory Experiment

Batteries and rechargeable batteries are used during our daily life; thus, knowing their basic operation concepts is useful even at the high school level. Since electrochemistry tends to be a frightening topic for many people, it is reasonable to design a new and appropriately simplified methodology for youngsters to get familiar with the fundamentals of batteries. This could be a good basis for later interest. Here we present a laboratory activity consisting of an annual national chemistry competition directly set up for high school students. The lab work focused on a series of Daniell-type galvanic cells and subsequent calculations to lead the students through the most important aspects. They learn how to interpret electromotive force, how it changes if different metals are used, and the advantage of performing the half reactions of a redox process in a spatially separated manner.