Lead Acid Accumulator

Topic Content:

The lead acid accumulator is used in car batteries. It is also called a storage cell because it must be charged by passing current through it.

In a lead storage battery, the anodeAn anode is an electrode of a polarized electrical device through which conventional current enters the device. It is the positive part of electrolytes where oxidation takes place. More is metallic lead and the cathodeA cathode is the electrode from which a conventional current leaves the electrolyte. It is the negative part of the cell where reduction takes place. More is lead(IV) oxide. The electrolyteAn electrolyte is a substance that dissociates in water into charged particles called ions. Positively charged ions are called cations. Negatively charged ions are called anions. Simply, an electrolyte is a... More is dilute tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid solution. When the two electrodes are connected to an external circuit, it produces electricity by discharging.

Lead Accumulator Discharging:

At the Anode (Discharging):

When in use as a source of direct current the accumulator discharges:- The Lead atoms release two electrons each to be oxidized to Lead(II) ions, Pb²⁺ , which combine with tetraoxosulphate(VI) ions [SO₄ ^2- ], in the electrolyte to become deposited on the anode as lead(II) tetraoxosulphate (IV), PbSO₄

Pb_(s)   → Pb²⁺ _(aq) + 2e^–

Pb