The electrolyte in a lead-acid battery is made up of water and:

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Multiple Choice

The electrolyte in a lead-acid battery is made up of water and:

In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte must be able to conduct ions and participate in the plate reactions. Sulfuric acid dissolved in water provides the necessary sulfate ions and protons for the chemical processes that convert chemical energy to electrical energy. During discharge, sulfate ions from the sulfuric acid react with the lead plates to form lead sulfate, while water is produced; the acid also ensures good ionic conductivity between the plates. Pure water would conduct poorly, so it wouldn’t support the current, and acids like hydrochloric or nitric would be too corrosive and create unwanted byproducts.

In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte must be able to conduct ions and participate in the plate reactions. Sulfuric acid dissolved in water provides the necessary sulfate ions and protons for the chemical processes that convert chemical energy to electrical energy. During discharge, sulfate ions from the sulfuric acid react with the lead plates to form lead sulfate, while water is produced; the acid also ensures good ionic conductivity between the plates. Pure water would conduct poorly, so it wouldn’t support the current, and acids like hydrochloric or nitric would be too corrosive and create unwanted byproducts.

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