Lesson Plan: Electrochemistry: Use of Electrolysis to Reduce Global Carbon Emissions

Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.

Step 1: Topic introduction and discussion 

1. Use the teaching module, ‘Electrochemistry’ by Libretexts^TM to teach your students the basics of electrochemistry.
2. Navigate to the relevant sub-sections to explain electrochemical processes such as oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions and electrolysis.
3. Use the tool to teach about voltaic/galvanic cells and electrolytic cells, and their differences.
4. Describe Faraday’s law of electrolysis, cell potentials, Half-Cell reactions, Nernst Equation, thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions, and details of redox chemistry.
5. Finally, describe a few applications of electrolysis such as electroplating and batteries using galvanic cells.

This can be accessed here.

Step 2: Conduct a classroom/laboratory activity using an interactive simulation

1. Use the interactive simulation, ‘Electrolysis’, provided by University of Oregon, to extend your students’ understanding of the process of electrolysis.
2. Note the ‘Learning Objectives’ to teach your students about the various aspects of electrolysis and electrolytic cells.
3. Download the attached ‘ElectrolysisCellStudentActivity’ word document as a guide to conduct this activity in the classroom.
4. Use the link given within the tool to launch the simulation to enable your students to understand the quantitative and qualitative aspects of electrolysis and to visualize how it works at the macroscopic and microscopic levels.
5. Use the built-in demonstration to explain how the simulation can be used to experiment with the variables involved in operating an electrolytic cell.
6. Direct your students to run the simulation for different electrolytic conditions and note their observations.
7. Use the list of questions given under the ‘Learning Outcomes’ tab and in the student activity sheet to assess your students’ understanding of the topic.
8. Finally, discuss how electrolytic cells are used in real life.

This can be accessed here.

Step 3: Discuss further using a video and audio podcast

1. Play the video, ‘Calcium Carbonate- Disintegrating Quicklime’ by the Royal Institute, London, to explain how producing cement results in the release of carbon dioxide through heating and slaking processes, thus adding to atmospheric greenhouse gases that can cause global warming.

2. Use the audio podcast, ‘New approach suggests path to emissions-free cement’ by the MIT News Office, to explain how the world-wide large-scale cement production significantly contributes towards global carbon emissions.
3. Use the tool to describe a new process involving electrolysis, developed by MIT researchers, to eliminate carbon emissions from cement production.
4. The scientific paper detailing this study can be accessed separately in the additional resources section of this lesson plan.

The video can be accessed here.

The podcast can be accessed here.

Step 4: Optional Reading: Homework Assignment (30 min)

Use the scientific review, ‘Progress toward Commercial Application of Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction’ by Chi Chen et al., Chem, to enable your students to understand how various electrochemical processes are being developed to reduce global carbon emissions that contribute towards global warming and climate change.

This can be accessed here.

Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation :

1. Give examples to illustrate the use of electrochemistry in daily life.
2. What are the differences in voltaic and electrolytic cells?
3. Explain how electrolysis may be used in large scale cement production to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.
4. Describe some possible applications of electrochemical processes to reduce carbon emissions.

The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:

1. understand the basics of electrochemistry
2. learn about electrolysis, electrolytic cells, and their applications in real life
3. describe the use of electrolysis in commercial processes to reduce global carbon emissions