Batteries

Question 1

Who created the first battery?

Answer 1

Alessandro Volta

Question 2

How was the first battery constructed?

Answer 2

It was constructed using zinc and silver discs separated by a piece of cardboard soaked in brine (saltwater).

Question 3

True or False. A battery is several cells connected together

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is a voltaic cell?

Answer 4

A device that converts chemical energy into electric energy

Question 5

How can a voltaic cell be constructed?

Answer 5

It can be constructed with any two unlike metals and an acid, alkaline, or salt solution.

Question 6

Is the common battery people use for things like flashlights or toys a single cell or multiple cells?

Answer 6

Single cell

Question 7

The amount of voltage produced by an individual cell is determined by what?

Answer 7

The materials from which it is made.

Question 8

What is the electromotive series of metals?

Answer 8

A list of metals in order of their ability to accept or retrieve electrons. The metals at the top accept electrons more easily than those at the bottom.

Question 9

The ________ apart metals are on the electromotive series the _______ the voltage.

Answer 9

Farther, higher.

Question 10

What was one of the first practical cells to be produced?

Answer 10

Zinc-copper cells

Question 11

Are all combinations of metals practical for cell creation?

Answer 11

No. Some combos corrode rapidly when placed in electrolyte solution and some produce chemical reactions that cause a buildup in resistance.

Question 12

What is a primary cell?

Answer 12

A cell that cannot be recharged

Question 13

What is a secondary cell?

Answer 13

A cell that can be recharged

Question 14

What is one of the first primary cells created? Who created it?

Answer 14

Carbon-zinc cells. Leclanche

Question 15

Why are carbon-zinc cells referred to as a dry cell?

Answer 15

The electrolyte is a paste instead of a liquid. This permits the cell to be used in any position without spilling the electrolyte.

Question 16

What do alkaline cells use?

Answer 16

Zinc can (negative electrode) and manganese dioxide (positive electrode)

Question 17

What is the major advantage and disadvantage of an alkaline cell?

Answer 17

The major advantage is longer life and the major disadvantage is cost.

Question 18

Alkaline cells are generally (rechargeable/non-rechargeable)

Answer 18

Non-rechargeable

Question 19

What are button cells typically made of?

Answer 19

Mercuric oxide (anode), zinc (cathode), and potassium hydroxide (electrolyte).

Question 20

What is another type of button cell that is more expensive?

Answer 20

Silver-zinc cell

Question 21

Lithium cells usually have voltages that range from _______ to _______

Answer 21

1.9 volts to 3.6 volts

Question 22

What is current capacity?

Answer 22

The amount of energy a cell can deliver

Question 23

The amount of current a particular cell can deliver is determined by ……

Answer 23

The surface area of its plates

Question 24

What are two common ratings for primary cells?

Answer 24

Milliampere hour and watt-hours

Question 25

How can watt-hours be determined?

Answer 25

By multiplying the cell's milliampere-hour rating by its terminal voltage.

Question 26

What is internal resistance?

Answer 26

The resistance inherent to a power source

Question 27

True or False. Some cells have internal resistance

Answer 27

False. ALL cells have some amount of internal resistance

Question 28

As cells age, they become (more/less) conductive which results in an (increase/decrease) in internal resistance.

Answer 28

Less. Increase

Question 29

A single lead acid cell consists of ________

Answer 29

One plate of pure lead, one plate of lead dioxide, and an electrolyte of dilute sulfuric acid.

Question 30

What is specific gravity?

Answer 30

A measure of the amount of acid contained in the water.

Question 31

What is a discharge cycle?

Answer 31

When a battery releases its stored energy into through a load.

Question 32

What is a charging cycle?

Answer 32

When a generator or power supply discharges into the battery. The revere chemical action of a discharge cycle.

Question 33

Overcharge a secondary cell causes what to form?

Answer 33

Hydrogen gas

Question 34

The accepted temperature for most lead acid cells _______

Answer 34

110 degrees F

Question 35

What are gel cells?

Answer 35

A cell in which sulfuric acid electrolyte is suspended in an immobilized gelatin state. This prevents spillage and permits the battery to be used in any position.

Question 36

What is an AGM battery?

Answer 36

A lead acid battery that does not spill sulfate or degrade like a common flooded cell battery.

Question 37

What are three advantages of AGM batteries?

Answer 37

- They exhibit a longer life span - They have a lower resistance - They have a longer shelf life

Question 38

What are two common ratings for lead-acid batteries?

Answer 38

Ampere-hour ratings and cold cranking amperes

Question 39

What is an ampere-hour rating?

Answer 39

The battery's ability to produce a current for a 20 hour period at 80 degrees fareneheit

Question 40

What are cold-cranking amperes?

Answer 40

The maximum amount of initial current the battery can supply at 68 degrees fahrenheit.