Question

How does an electrolysis cell differ from a galvanic cell?

Answer 1

Electrolytic cells and galvanic cells are opposite in nature.In a galvanic cell, mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy, while electrical energy is converted to chemical energy in an electrolytic cell.

Complete step-by-step answer: In an electrolytic cell, redox reactions are caused by an external source of current, while in a galvanic cell, spontaneous redox processes occur, allowing the continuous flow of electrons through the conductor.
In a galvanic cell, mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy, while electrical energy is converted to chemical energy in an electrolytic cell.
In electrolytic cell electricity causes the chemical reaction with the help of an external source whereas in galvanic cells electrical energy is produced by redox reactions.
In an electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive electrode and cathode is the negative electrode whereas in galvanic cells, cathode is the positive electrode and anode is the negative electrode.
In the electrolytic cell, the oxidation process occurs at the cathode while the reduction process takes place at the anode whereas in galvanic cells, oxidation takes place at the anode and reduction process occurs at the cathode.
In electrolytic cells, electrodes are kept in the same container in a molten or solution electrolyte whereas in galvanic cells, half cells are set up in different containers and are connected through salt bridges.
Electrolytic cells are used in electroplating and purifying copper whereas galvanic cells are used in batteries.

Note: We can infer from the above differences between galvanic and electrolytic cells that a galvanic cell generates electric current by spontaneous chemical reactions, while an electrolytic cell does the opposite, that is, it causes chemical reactions using an electric current from an external source.