Battery essays

Battery essays A current is produced basically by the flow of electrons. The dry cell, or Leclanche battery works by creating two electrochemically different ends (an anode and a cathode) so current passes through when a complete circuit is connected. This involves non-renewable compounds which initiate reactions at both ends of the cell. These reactions allow the flow of ions which ultimately produce the current. Diagram 1: The make-up of a dry cell Diagram 1 shows the composition of the cell initially. As the cell is used zinc ions are formed and ammonium ions are discharged. The zinc reaction occurs at the anode: Zn _ Zn2+ + 2e- While at the cathode: NH4+ + MnO2 + H2O + e- _ Mn(OH)3 + NH3 The reduction of Manganese from 4+ to 3+ produces a voltage of about 1.5V. The dry cell is the cheapest commercially available battery. Depending on the relative size, each battery can be worth less than $3. In our fast paced modern world of electricity and communication the dry cell battery is widely used in items such as torches, walkmans and other music players, calculators, clocks and toys. It is an essential part of our society as the TV could not be changed without these batteries. However there is not a great amount of voltage produced so it can only run smaller items for variable periods of time. As the first commercial battery there was a huge impact on society. It allowed the production and development of the above items, which could now be made portable. It also pioneered the development of other batteries to be more powerful and longer lasting. There is little negative environmental impact through this small cell. It is easily produced, there are no implications of use and storage. In disposal the manganese (III) is oxidized to insoluble manganese (IV), and the small amounts of zinc, ammonium salts and carbon ...