Battery Essay

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A battery is a device that converts energy into electricity by storing electrical energy thru chemical reactions. In a battery, there are three major components [4]. The first component of a battery is a terminal called anode which is an electrode through which electric current flows into [2]. The second component of a battery is a terminal is called cathode which is an electrode through which electric current flows out [2]. These two terminals can be found at each end of a battery. The third component of a battery is called the electrolyte which is an ionic compound(s) that are used to separate these two terminals, send electrons and used to neutralize charges that build-up in the chemical reaction processes [2].

In the process of producing electricity, the anode in a battery produces electrons through an oxidation reaction while the cathode accepts these electrons creating electron flow [4]. Electrons are being carried and transferred by the electrolytes – that acts like a piece of metal between the anode and the cathode [4].

In the case of primary batteries, the chemical reactions are irreversible – meaning that the products produced in the chemical reactions to produce electricity cannot return to their (original) reactant state [4]. Therefore, these type of batteries run out of energy production overtime [4].

On the other hand, chemical reactions in a rechargeable battery are reversible – meaning that the products produced in the chemical reactions to produce electricity can go back to their original state by using an outside electric power source [4].

The following are the two types of battery with given specific batteries:

I. Primary Batteries
- These batteries are sometimes called single-use or “disposable” batteries...

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...emical reactions that involve variable of the following chemicals:
Oxidation (Anode):C+x〖Li〗^+ (aq)xe^-→CLix [8]
Reduction (Cathode):LiCoO_2→〖Li〗_(1-x) CoO_2+〖xLi〗^++xe^- [8]

• Lead-Acid
This battery is the most the most popular among the rechargeable batteries [1]. This battery offers advantages as the Lithium-Ion battery by being economical and reliable [1]. However, due to its weight, Lead-Acid battery is not as portable as the other batteries. In addition, this battery carries Lead, a toxic and carcinogenic compound, which is its main chemical component [1].
Chemicals involve in this battery are porous lead as the anode, lead(IV) oxide as the cathode and sulfuric acid as the electrolyte.
Oxidation (Anode):Pb(s)+〖HSO_4〗^- (aq)→〖PbSO〗_4 (s)+H^+ (aq)+2e^- [2].
Reduction (Cathode):PbO_2 (s)+〖〖HSO〗_4〗^- (aq)+3H^+ (aq)+2e^-→Pb〖SO〗_4 (s)+2H_2 O(l) [2].

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