Daniell Cells - Effect of conditions

[Shaybay92]

Homework Statement

I am doing a chemistry extended experimental investigation on the variables affecting a Daniell Cell's voltage. I am required to understand the reasoning behind voltage increase and decrease for particular conditions. I have done extensive research, but am unable to find a decent explanation that does not go into too much physics and complexity. Please keep in mind that this is a CHEMISTRY investigation.

I would like to know why temperature increase in solutions causes a slight voltage increase (at least initially), also why the concentrations of the solutions would affect voltage. For example, increasing Cu2+ at the site of reduction and reducing Zn2+ at the site of oxidation would (I believe) increase voltage.

Please if possible, give me some sort of an analogy or way of visualizing what exactly is going on. I appreciate this very much!

 

[Borek]

The further system is from equilbrium, the stronger are forces that push it into equilibrium position.

 

[Shaybay92]

Thanks! That helps with the concentration part of things, but how about temperature? Is temperature a product of the reaction? How would increasing the temperature of both solutions cause the reaction to shift further from equilibrium?

 

[Borek]

Temperature is not a product of the reaction, heat can be.