What are the difference between Electrochemical and Electrolytic cell?

Answer:

Electrochemical cell

• It converts chemical energy (of a redox reaction) into electrical energy.
• At the electrodes, spontaneous redox reaction takes place.
• The electrodes are made of dissimilar metals.
• Each electrode is dipped in electrolytic solution of its own ions.
• Salt bridge is used.
• Anode is negative electrode and cathode is positive electrode of the cell.

Electrolytic cell

• It converts electrical energy (from an external source) into chemical energy.
• At the electrodes, non‐spontaneous redox reaction takes place only when electrical energy is supplied.
• The electrodes may be made of same or different metals.
• Both the electrodes are inserted in the same electrolyte solution.
• Salt bride is not used.
• Anode is positive electrode and cathode is negative electrode of the cell.