NY Regents Chemistry Exam June 2022
27 Which statement describes the two types of reactions that occur in operating electrochemical cells?
(1) Nonspontaneous reactions occur in voltaic cells, and spontaneous reactions occur in electrolytic cells.
(2) Nonspontaneous reactions occur in electrolytic cells, and nonspontaneous reactions occur in voltaic cells.
(3) Spontaneous reactions occur in voltaic cells, and nonspontaneous reactions occur in electrolytic cells.
(4) Spontaneous reactions occur in electrolytic cells, and spontaneous reactions occur in voltaic cells.
Explanation: There are two types of electrochemical cells: voltaic and electrolytic. What is the difference between them? Voltaic cells are cells where spontaneous reactions occur and generate energy. Electrolytic cells, on the other hand, need energy to run because that is where non spontaneous reactions occur.
Answer: 3