A voltaic cell differs from an electrolytic cell in that in a voltaic cell
A. energy is produced when the reaction occurs
B. energy is required for the reaction to occur
C. both oxidation and reduction occur
D. neither oxidation nor reduction occurs
The answer is A. Voltaic cells couple oxidation and reduction half reactions to produce electromotive force from chemical potential energy. Electrolytic cells do the opposite in that they require electromotive force to store chemical energy.
