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Describe about lead stroage battery construction and its uses.

Answer»

Solution :Lead STORAGE battery :
(i) `{:("Anode",:,"Spongy lead"),("Cathode",:,"Lead plate bearing" PbO_2),("Electrolyte",:,"38% by mass of " H_2SO_4" with density 1.2 g//ml"):}`
(ii) Oxidation occurs at the anode
`Pb_((s)) to Pb_((aq))^(2+) + 2e^(-) "".............(1)`
The `Pb^(2+)` ions COMBINE with `SO_4^(2-)` to form `PbSO_4` precipitate
`Pb_((aq))^(2+) + SO_(4)^(2-) to PbSO_(4(s)) ""..........(2)`
(iii) Reduction occurs at the cathode
`PbO_(2(s)) + 4H_((aq))^(+) + 2e^(-) to Pb_((aq))^(2+)+ 2H_2O_((l)) ""...........(3)`
The `Pb^(2+)` ions also combines with `SO_4^(2-)` ions to form sulphuric acid to form `PbSO_4` Precipitate.
`Pb_((aq))^(2+) + SO_(4(aq))^(2-) to PbSO_4 "" ...............(4)`
(vi) The overall reaction is,
`(1) + (2) + (3) + (4)`
`Pb_((s)) + PbO_(2(s)) + 4H_((aq))^(+) + 2SO_(4(aq))^(2-) to 2PbSO_(4(s)) + 2H_2O_((l))`
(v) The emf of a single cell is about 2V. Usually six such cells are combined in series to produce 12 volts.
(vi) The emf of the cell DEPENDS on the concentration of `H_2SO_4`.As the cell reaction uses `SO_(4)^(2-)` ions, the concentration `H_2SO_4` decreases. When the cell potential falls to about 1.8 V, the cell has to be rechanged.
(vii) Recharge of the cell : During reachrge process, the role of anode and cathode is REVERSED and `H_2SO_4` is regenerated.
Oxidation occurs at cathode (now anode)
`overset(+2)(PbSO_(4_(s))) + 2H_2O_((l)) + overset(+4)(PbO_(2_(s))) + 4H_((aq))^(+) + overset(2+)(SO_(4(aq))) + 2e^(-)`
Reduction occurs at anode (now cathode)
`PbSO_(4_(s)) + 2e^(-) to Pb_((s)) + SO_(4(aq))^(2-)`
Overall reaction
`2PbSO_(4(s)) + 2H_2O((I)) to Pb_((s)) + PbO_(2(aq)) + 4H_((aq))^(+) + 2SO_(4(aq))^(2+)`
The above reaction is exactly the reverse of redox reaction which takes place while discharging.
(VIII) Uses : Lead storage battery is used in automobiles, trains, inverters.


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