primary battery similar to a dry cell that uses an alkaline (often potassium hydroxide) electrolyte; designed to be an improved replacement for the dry cell, but with more energy storage and less electrolyte leakage than typical dry cell

single or series of galvanic cells designed for use as a source of electrical power

primary battery, also called a zinc-carbon battery, based on the spontaneous oxidation of zinc by manganese(IV)

devices similar to galvanic cells that require a continuous feed of redox reactants; also called a flow battery

rechargeable battery commonly used in automobiles; it typically comprises six galvanic cells based on Pb half-reactions in acidic solution

widely used rechargeable battery commonly used in portable electronic devices, based on lithium ion transfer between the anode and cathode

nickel-cadmium battery

rechargeable battery based on Ni/Cd half-cells with applications similar to those of lithium ion batteries

nonrechargeable battery, suitable for single use only

battery designed to allow recharging

17.5 Batteries and Fuel Cells: practice

Batteries and Fuel Cells: practice problems

3 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 33

Consider a battery with the overall reaction: $Cu (s) + 2 Ag^{+} (a q) ⟶ 2Ag (s) + Cu^{2 +} (a q) .$

Exercises 34

Exercises 36

Key terms · 9

alkaline battery: primary battery similar to a dry cell that uses an alkaline (often potassium hydroxide) electrolyte; designed to be an improved replacement for the dry cell, but with more energy storage and less electrolyte leakage than typical dry cell
battery: single or series of galvanic cells designed for use as a source of electrical power
dry cell: primary battery, also called a zinc-carbon battery, based on the spontaneous oxidation of zinc by manganese(IV)
fuel cell: devices similar to galvanic cells that require a continuous feed of redox reactants; also called a flow battery
lead acid battery: rechargeable battery commonly used in automobiles; it typically comprises six galvanic cells based on Pb half-reactions in acidic solution
lithium ion battery: widely used rechargeable battery commonly used in portable electronic devices, based on lithium ion transfer between the anode and cathode
nickel-cadmium battery: rechargeable battery based on Ni/Cd half-cells with applications similar to those of lithium ion batteries
primary cell: nonrechargeable battery, suitable for single use only
secondary cell: battery designed to allow recharging

Learn 17.5 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 17.5 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org