Briefly explain a voltaic cell. -ANSWER A voltaic cell is basically an electrochemical cell
that transforms chemical energy into electrical energy. The Main Components of Voltaic
Cell: Anode: It is basically an electrode where the process of oxidation takes place.
Cathode: It is basically an electrode where the process of reduction occurs.
What is the difference between a primary cell and a secondary cell? - ANSWER A
primary cell cannot be recharged satisfactorily while a secondary cell can.
What voltage is developed by a carbon zinc cell? - ANSWER The voltage is
approximately 1.5 V.
What is a dry cell? - ANSWER It is cell that is in the form of a paste; the cell may
therefore be handled without the danger of spillage.
Describe how various voltages are obtained in different cells - ANSWER The voltage of
any cell depends on the materials used as the electrodes. For example, if nickel and
aluminum are placed in an electrolyte, the nickel will be plus and the aluminum negative.
If however, nickel and silver are acted upon by the same electrolyte, the nickel will be
negative and the silver positive. The more active a metal is chemically the greater its
negative characteristic.
What is the electrolyte material in an alkaline cell? - ANSWER The electrolyte is primarily
a potassium hydroxide solution.
What are the active materials in a nickel cadmium cell? - ANSWER The negative
electrode is metallic cadmium and the positive electrode is nickel oxyhydroxide.
What are the active materials in a lead acid storage cell? - ANSWER
, Describe the construction of a lead acid storage cell ANSWER Each cell of a storage
battery has positive and negative plates arranged alternately and insulated from each
other by separators. Each plate of a framework, called the grid, and the active material
held in the grid. A standard formula for the grid material is 90% lead and 10% antimony.
Describe a plate group - ANSWER They are plates in which are given forming treatment
where a large number of positive plates are connected to the positive terminal of a
charging apparatus and a like umber of negative plates, plus one, are connected to a
negative terminal. Afterwards they are placed in a solution of sulfuric acid and water
and charged slowly over a long period of time. The lead compounds in the plates are
changed to active material by a few cycles of charging and discharging. Then once
washed and dried they are assembled into a plate group.
What electrolyte is used in a lead acid storage cell? - ANSWER Water
Why does the negative plates of a lead acid cell outnumber the positive? -ANSWER It
affords a protection to the positive plates, inasmuch as they are more subject to
warping and deterioration than the negative plates. By placing negative plates on each
side of every positive plate, the chemical action is distributed evenly on both sides of the
positive plate, and there is less tendency for the plate to warp.
What materials are used for separators? - ANSWER The separators used in lead acid
storage batteries are made of fiberglass, rubber, or other insulating materials. The
separators must be very porous so that it will offer a minimum of resistance to the
current passing through. Some manufacturer's use glass-wool separators or another
effective method is enclose positive plates in microporous polyethylene pouches.
What is done to prevent the sediment at the bottom of a cell container from short
circuiting the plates? - ANSWER In the bottom of the container there are four ribs. Two
of these ribs support the positive plates, and the other two support the negative plates.
This arrangement leaves a space underneath the plates for the accumulation of
sediment, thus preventing sediment from coming in contact with the plates and causing
a short circuit.
Describe how the spillage of electrolyte from an aircraft storage battery is prevented -
ANSWER The assembled cell of a storage battery has a cover made of material similar
so that of the cell container. The cell cover is provided with two holes through which the
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