Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Chemistry → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Chemistry
Lesson Topic: Electrochemistry: electrolysis, redox processes, standard electrode potentials, fuel cells
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the roles of anode, cathode, and electrolyte in electrolysis and predict product distribution.
  • Write, balance, and combine half‑reactions to produce complete redox equations.
  • Calculate standard cell potentials and use the Nernst equation to assess spontaneity under non‑standard conditions.
  • Explain the operation of a hydrogen‑oxygen fuel cell and determine its theoretical voltage.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Electrolysis demonstration kit (electrodes, power supply, electrolyte solutions)
  • Handout of standard electrode potentials
  • Worksheet for redox balancing and Nernst calculations
  • Fuel‑cell diagram (PEM) printed for each group
  • Calculators
 Introduction:

Begin with the question, “How could a car run on only hydrogen and oxygen?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of oxidation‑reduction reactions and set the success criteria: students will identify half‑reactions, calculate cell potentials, and explain fuel‑cell operation.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on oxidation numbers and identifying oxidising/reducing agents.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Key concepts of electrolysis – anode, cathode, electrolyte, over‑potential.
  3. Guided practice (10'): Write half‑reactions for given electrolytes and predict products.
  4. Demonstration (5'): Simple electrolysis set‑up; students observe gas evolution.
  5. Redox balancing activity (10'): Balance the MnO₄⁻ + Fe²⁺ reaction in acidic medium.
  6. Standard potentials exercise (10'): Calculate E°cell for several cell reactions using the handout.
  7. Nernst equation workshop (10'): Solve problems with given Q values and temperatures.
  8. Fuel‑cell discussion (10'): Explain PEM fuel‑cell operation, write half‑reactions, and compute theoretical voltage.
Conclusion:

Recap the four main ideas: electrolysis set‑up, redox balancing, cell potential calculations, and fuel‑cell fundamentals. Exit ticket: students write one real‑world application of each concept. For homework, assign a worksheet that combines Nernst calculations with a short essay on the environmental benefits of fuel cells.