Cells and Batteries Flashcards
taking 2 different metals and placing them into an electrolyte produces what?
electricity
describe how we can produce electricity using metals
we take the 2 different metals and place them into an electrolyte
what is an electrolyte?
a solution that can conduct electricity (eg a solution of an ionic compound)
how can the chemical reaction to produce electricity take place?
the 2 different metals are placed into the electrolyte solution
at the surface, the metals are connected with a voltmeter which shows the pd between the metals
an electric current will also flow through the wire
the chemical reaction is taking place on the surface of the metals and these reactions are producing electricity
this set up is called a cell
what is a cell
the set up of the 2 different metals in an electrolyte solution connected with a voltmeter
what can we use cells for ?
to generate electricity
why can the cell only produce electricity for a certain period of time?
Eventually, the chemicals in the cell run out and the reaction stops
when can cells produce electricity?
if we use metals with different reactivities
what does the size of the pd depend on ?
depends on the difference and the reactivity between the 2 metals
which 2 metals used will have a larger pd? Magnesium zinc Lead Tin Iron Copper
Magnesium and copper
the difference between them in the reactivity series is greater
what can affect the pd?
an electrolyte
what is a battery?
2 or more cells connected in series to produce a greater voltage
what type of batteries are non rechargeable and why?
alkaline batteries, at some point the reactants in the batteries run out and no more electricity is produced
is there a way to reverse the reaction of an alkaline battery once it’s run out
there is no way we can reverse these reactions, so these are non-rechargeable batteries
why can rechargeable batteries be recharged?
we can reverse the chemical reactions when we apply an electrical current
