Cells and Batteries (T)

• What is meant by a cell in the context of batteries?

  A cell is a setup that produces electricity through a chemical reaction between two different metals and an electrolyte.
• How do different metals in a cell produce electricity?

  They undergo chemical reactions that produce electricity.
• What is an electrolyte?

  • A solution that can conduct electricity
  • Typically a solution of an ionic compound
• What happens when two different metals are placed in an electrolyte?

  An electric current flows through the wire due to a potential difference created between the metals.
• Why does a cell only produce electricity for a limited time?

  Because the reactants in the cell are consumed over time.
• What is the significance of using metals with different reactivity in a cell?

  It allows for a greater potential difference to be generated.
• What is the relationship between the reactivity series of metals and the potential difference in a cell?

  • More reactive metals produce a larger potential difference
  • Less reactive metals produce a smaller potential difference
  • The potential difference is greater with a larger difference in reactivity
• What is a battery in the context of cells?

  A battery consists of two or more cells connected in series to produce a greater voltage.
• How does connecting cells in series affect voltage?

  It increases the total voltage produced.
• What is the difference between rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries?

  Non-rechargeable batteries cannot reverse their chemical reactions, while rechargeable batteries can.
• Why can rechargeable batteries be recharged?

  Because the chemical reactions can be reversed with an electrical current.
• What happens to the reactants in non-rechargeable batteries?

  • The reactants eventually run out
  • Normal electricity is produced until depletion
  • Cannot be reversed or reused