What does Ecell represent in galvanic cells?

Ecell represents the voltage produced by the cell, also known as cell potential. In galvanic cells, Ecell quantifies the electrical energy generated from the spontaneous redox reactions occurring within the cell. A higher Ecell indicates a stronger driving force for the reaction, signifying that the cell can deliver more electrical energy when utilized in a circuit.

The cell potential is directly related to the difference in reduction potentials between the half-reactions occurring at the anode and cathode. This value plays a crucial role in determining how efficiently the cell can convert chemical energy into electrical energy, making it fundamental to understanding cell performance in practical applications.

The other options do not accurately describe Ecell. While the total amount of charge in the cell is relevant to the charge transfer during the reactions, it is not represented by Ecell. The temperature at which the cell operates can influence Ecell but is not defined by it. Lastly, the mass of the reactants is important for stoichiometry and understanding reaction extent but does not describe the electrical properties represented by Ecell.