Final answer:
In a voltaic cell, the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy occurs. Dilute sulfuric acid is used as an electrolyte in a voltaic cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a voltaic cell, the type of energy conversion that occurs is chemical energy to electrical energy. This conversion happens through a spontaneous redox reaction, where one substance is oxidized and another substance is reduced. For example, in a zinc-copper voltaic cell, zinc (Zn) is oxidized to Zn2+ ions at the anode, while Cu2+ ions at the cathode are reduced to metallic copper (Cu).
Dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is used in a voltaic cell to act as an electrolyte. It provides ions for the redox reactions to take place and helps maintain charge balance. The sulfuric acid dissociates into H+ ions and SO4^2- ions, which move through the solution to facilitate the movement of electrons between the electrodes.