Galvanísk

Galvanísk refers to phenomena involving the production of electric currents from chemical reactions or the chemical changes produced by electric currents. It is named after the Italian physician and physicist Luigi Galvani, who conducted experiments with frog legs and electricity in the late 18th century.

The most common application of galvanísk principles is in the creation of galvanic cells, also known as voltaic cells or electrochemical cells. These devices convert chemical energy into electrical energy through spontaneous redox reactions. A simple galvanic cell consists of two different metals immersed in an electrolyte solution, connected by a salt bridge or porous barrier. The difference in the electrochemical potential between the two metals drives the flow of electrons, creating an electric current. Examples include batteries, which are portable galvanic cells used to power various devices.

Conversely, galvanísk processes can also involve electrolysis, where an electric current is passed through a substance to cause a non-spontaneous chemical change. This is known as electrolytic decomposition. Electroplating, a process used to coat one metal with a thin layer of another, is a practical example of electrolysis, utilizing galvanísk principles to deposit metal ions from a solution onto a surface. Understanding galvanísk principles is fundamental to electrochemistry and has wide-ranging applications in energy storage, materials science, and industrial processes.