Electrochemistry
Electrochemistry is one of the most important branches in chemistry. It is considered as a physical chemistry rather than pure chemistry since it emphasized on both chemistry and physics aspects of process. In electrochemistry, we are not only dealing with the chemical reaction occurred within the cell but also the physical aspect that caused the reaction or is produced by the reaction. Overall, electrochemistry is a branch of physical chemistry that studies the process by which an electric current is produced by chemical reaction (the conversion of energy from chemical energy to electric energy) and vice versa, the conversion of electric energy to chemical energy (the initiation of chemical reaction by electric current).
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the process by which electric energy is converted to chemical energy by forcing electric current (electrons) through a cell thus initiating a chemical reaction. The main reaction occurred within the cell is redox reaction with reduction reaction occurred at cathode and oxidation occurred at anode.
The Nernst Equation
The Nerst Equation shows the dependence of cell potential on concentration of the ions in the electrolyte.
Polyelectrolyte
Polyelectrolyte is different from the regular polymer chain since it contains the electrolyte group. Unlike a regular polymer which takes the shape of random coil, polyelectrolyte stretch itself out due to the interaction between the charges. This makes it to be viscous and enable it to be changed into gel. The mobility of its ions (remember it contains electrolyte group) enable it to conduct electricity. Strong polyelectrolyte like the one use in the experiment has an excellent electrical conductivity.
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate is a strong polyelectrolyte and has a strong electrical conductivity. It is used medicinal treatment for high potassium level in blood.
