Exam Question
(a) Explain the working principle of an alkaline battery. (8)
(b) Compare the alkaline battery with Lead-Acid battery. (8)
Class 4 (4th Engineer)
MET
📅 Apr 2025
Reference Answer
### (a) Explanation of the Working Principle of an Alkaline Battery
An alkaline battery is a primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It is characterized by its use of an alkaline electrolyte, typically potassium hydroxide, which significantly improves performance compared to earlier carbon-zinc cells. The term "alkaline" refers to the high pH of the electrolyte, which remains constant during discharge because it is regenerated as part of the overall reaction.
**1. Key Components and Their Roles:**
* **Anode (Negative Electrode):** Composed of powdered **Zinc (Zn)**. Zinc is chosen for its high electropositivity and good conductivity. The powdered form provides a large surface area, optimizing the reaction kinetics and increasing current capacity.
An alkaline battery is a primary (non-rechargeable) electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It is characterized by its use of an alkaline electrolyte, typically potassium hydroxide, which significantly improves performance compared to earlier carbon-zinc cells. The term "alkaline" refers to the high pH of the electrolyte, which remains constant during discharge because it is regenerated as part of the overall reaction.
**1. Key Components and Their Roles:**
* **Anode (Negative Electrode):** Composed of powdered **Zinc (Zn)**. Zinc is chosen for its high electropositivity and good conductivity. The powdered form provides a large surface area, optimizing the reaction kinetics and increasing current capacity.
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