Chemistry In Focus
Chemistry In Focus
7th Edition
ISBN: 9781337399692
Author: Tro, Nivaldo J.
Publisher: Cengage Learning,
bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 13E
Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The working of an automobile battery is to be explained and the reactions occurring at cathode and anode are to be discussed.

Concept introduction:

An automobile battery is the type of the battery that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Oxidation is the addition of an electronegative element or the removal of an electropositive element in a chemical reaction.

Reduction is the addition of an electropositive element or the removal of an electronegative element in a chemical reaction.

The chemical reaction in which oxidation process and reduction process take place simultaneously, is called a redox reaction.

Electrolysis is the process in which a reaction takes place at electrodes. The positively charged electrode is called anode. The negatively charged electrode is called cathode. During electrolysis, reduction takes place at the cathode and oxidation takes place at the anode.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 13E

Solution:

The automobile battery is formed when lead oxide and sponge lead are immersed in dilute sulphuric acid.

The sulphuric acid completely dissociates into (2H+) and (SO42) in an aqueous solution.

The positively charged hydrogen moves towards the electrode that is connected to the negative terminal. The negatively charged sulfate ion moves towards the electrode that is connected to the positive terminal.

The two half reactions are as:

AnodePb(s)+ SO42(aq)4PbSO4(s)+2eCathodePbO2(s)+ SO42(aq)+2e+4H+(aq)PbSO4(s)+2H2O(l)NetPb(s)+PbO2(s)+2SO42(aq)+4H+(aq)2PbSO4(aq)+2H2O(l)¯.

Explanation of Solution

The automobile battery is a lead-acid storage battery. The lead-acid storage battery is the type of the battery that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is converted into chemical energy with help of an external source and is called charging of the automobile battery. The chemical energy is converted into electrical energy with the help an external load and is called discharging of the automobile battery. The materials used in the automobile battery are lead oxide, sponge lead and dilute sulphuric acid.

Sulphuric acid completely dissociates into (2H+) and (SO42) in the aqueous solution. The automobile battery is formed when lead oxide and sponge lead are immersed in the dilute sulphuric acid. The positively charged hydrogen moves towards the electrode that is connected to the negative terminal. The negatively charged sulfate ion moves towards the electrode that is connected to the positive terminal.

PbO2 half-cell reaction will occur as reduction at the cathode. PbO2 is reduced in the presence of sulfate ion to form a Pb2+ ion.

PbO2(s)+SO42(aq)+2e+4H+(aq)PbSO4(s)+2H2O(l).

Pb half-cell reaction will occur as oxidation at the anode. Pb is oxidized in the presence of sulfate ion to form PbSO4.

Pb(s)+SO4(aq)PbSO4(g)+2e.

Adding two half reaction gives the overall cell reaction as follows:

Pb(s)+ SO42(aq)4PbSO4(s)+2ePbO2(s)+ SO42(aq)+2e+4H+(aq)PbSO4(s)+2H2O(l)Pb(s)+PbO2(s)+2SO42(aq)+4H+(aq)2PbSO4(aq)+2H2O(l)¯

Conclusion

The reaction occurring at the cathode is as follows:

PbO2(s)+SO42(aq)+2e+4H+(aq)PbSO4(s)+2H2O(l)

The reaction occurring at the anode is as follows:

Pb(s)+SO4(aq)PbSO4(g)+2e

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Chapter 14 Solutions

Chemistry In Focus

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Chemistry
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Chemistry In Focus
Chemistry
ISBN:9781337399692
Author:Tro, Nivaldo J.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Text book image
World of Chemistry, 3rd edition
Chemistry
ISBN:9781133109655
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan L. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Brooks / Cole / Cengage Learning
Text book image
Chemistry: Matter and Change
Chemistry
ISBN:9780078746376
Author:Dinah Zike, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl Wistrom
Publisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill School Pub Co
Text book image
Living By Chemistry: First Edition Textbook
Chemistry
ISBN:9781559539418
Author:Angelica Stacy
Publisher:MAC HIGHER
Text book image
Chemistry for Engineering Students
Chemistry
ISBN:9781337398909
Author:Lawrence S. Brown, Tom Holme
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
General Chemistry - Standalone book (MindTap Cour...
Chemistry
ISBN:9781305580343
Author:Steven D. Gammon, Ebbing, Darrell Ebbing, Steven D., Darrell; Gammon, Darrell Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon, Darrell D.; Gammon, Ebbing; Steven D. Gammon; Darrell
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Introduction to Electrochemistry; Author: Tyler DeWitt;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teTkvUtW4SA;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY