Answer:
a. In the nickel-aluminum galvanic cell, the cathode is nickel electrode.
b. Therefore electrons flow from the aluminium electrode to the nickel electrode.
c. The aluminium electrode loses mass, while the nickel electrode electrode gains mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voltaic or galvanic cells are electrochemical cells in which spontaneous oxidation-reduction reactions. The two halves of the redox reaction are separate and electron transfer is required to occur through an external circuit for the redox reaction to take place. That is, one of the metals in one of the half cells is oxidized while the metal of the other half cell is reduced, producing an exchange of electrons through an external circuit. This makes it possible to take advantage of the electric current.
Given:
E ⁰N i ⁺² = − 0.23 V is the standard reduction potential for the nickel ion
E ⁰ A l ⁺³ = − 1.66 V is the standard reduction potential for the aluminum ion
The most negative potentials correspond to more reducing substances. In this case, the aluminum ion is the reducing agent, where oxidation takes place. In the anodic half cell oxidations occur, while in the cathode half cell reductions occur. So the aluminum cell acts as the anode while the nickel cell acts as the cathode.
So a. In the nickel-aluminum galvanic cell, the cathode is nickel electrode.
The metal that is oxidized gives electrons to the metal that is reduced through the outer conductor. Then the electrons flow spontaneously from the anode to the cathode.
Then b. Therefore electrons flow from the aluminium electrode to the nickel electrode.
Ni⁺², being the cathode, accepts electrons, becoming Ni (s) and depositing on the Ni electrodes.
So, c. The aluminium electrode loses mass, while the nickel electrode electrode gains mass.