Teaching Electrochemistry in the General Chemistry Laboratory through Corrosion Exercises

Abstract

Electrochemistry is primarily taught in first-year undergraduate courses through batteries; this lab focuses instead on corrosion to apply electrochemical concepts of electrolytes, standard reduction potentials, galvanic cells, and other chemistry concepts including Le Chatelier’s Principle and Henry’s Law. Students investigate galvanic corrosion under neutral and acidic conditions quantitatively by measuring voltage, amperage, and mass loss and qualitatively using phenolphthalein. They also investigate protection against corrosion through the use of sacrificial anodes and impressed current cathodic protection.