Gravity Cell (Crow's Foot Cell) - Physics Demonstrations - Gravity Cell (Crow's Foot Cell) | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Copper sulfate is toxic if ingested and can cause skin and eye irritation. Dilute sulfuric acid is corrosive. Wear gloves and safety goggles during preparation. Work in a well-ventilated area and have appropriate neutralizing agents available.

Purpose

A gravity cell (Daniell-type cell) generates ~1.08 V from copper and zinc electrodes in density-stratified electrolyte solutions. Demonstrates how chemical reactions produce a stable EMF and how gravity keeps the electrolytes separated without a physical membrane.

Glass jar containing blue copper sulfate solution with copper plates at the bottom and a zinc electrode at the top, connected to a yellow BK Test Bench 388A multimeter reading 0.980 volts

Figure 1: Gravity cell with copper sulfate crystals and copper plates visible in the blue solution. A multimeter reads 0.980 V.

Gravity Cell

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Safety Warnings

Warning: Chemical Handling

Purpose