Question

Are the reactions in galvanic cells always spontaneous? Why?

Answer 1

A galvanic cell is a cell that can generate electrical energy from chemical energy. Electrical energy initiates a chemical reaction with the help of external energy sources, which means that the reaction is considered non-spontaneous in the electrolytic cell. In a galvanic cell, the anode and cathode are in the same container which contains the electrolyte solution. In the solution, we will see if the reaction in the galvanic cell is spontaneous or nonspontaneous.

Complete answer:
We know that the galvanic cell acts as a device that simultaneously undergoes oxidation and reduction reactions. These reactions are used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Ideally, the battery will include two electrodes. One of these electrodes, the cathode, will be the positively charged electrode, and the other will be the anode, the negatively charged electrode. During the oxidation-reduction reaction, the galvanic cell uses the energy transfer between electrons to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Therefore, the reaction in the galvanic battery does not provide external energy, which is why we can say that the reaction in the galvanic battery is inherently spontaneous.

Note:
There is one more type of cell other than galvanic cell which is known as electrolytic cell. Electrolytic cell is that type of cell which converts electrical energy to chemical energy. In this conversion an external source for energy (electricity) is used and hence, we can say that the reaction taking place in this cell is non-spontaneous in nature.