Alkaline Batteries
In alkaline batteries, the chemical reactions occur between the anode (zinc) and the cathode (manganese dioxide) materials, as well as the electrolyte (potassium hydroxide) solution. These reactions generate electrical energy that powers the battery.
Anode Reaction (Oxidation)
At the anode (negative terminal), zinc undergoes oxidation to form zinc oxide and release electrons:
Anode (Oxidation): Zn → Zn2++ 2e−
Cathode Reaction (Reduction)
At the cathode (positive terminal), manganese dioxide undergoes reduction by accepting electrons from the external circuit:
Cathode (Reduction): 2 MnO2 + 2e− + H2O → Mn2O3 + 2OH−
Overall, the chemical reactions in alkaline batteries involve the reversible conversion of zinc and manganese dioxide between different oxidation states, facilitated by the potassium hydroxide electrolyte. These reactions generate electrical energy that can be used to power various devices.
Applications of Chemistry in Battery
A chemical cell, or a battery, is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. Some of the examples of these batteries are alkaline batteries, lithium ion batteries, lead acid batteries, etc. The functioning of these batteries are based on various chemical reactions. In this article, we will discuss the application of chemistry in batteries, i.e., how chemistry is involved in the functioning of these batteries.
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