Question

What is a key difference between an electrolytic cell and a voltaic cell?

Answer 1

In an electrolytic cell you need an outside source of energy like a battery while in a voltaic cell the reaction occurs simultaneously, or without help. The other major difference is that in a electrolytic cell, the flow of electrons is from positive(cathode) to negative(anode). In an voltaic cell the flow of electrons is from negative(anode) to positive(cathode).

Answer 2

another major difference is electrolytic cell converts electrical energy to into chemical energy
and voltaic cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy