When a lead acid battery is discharged:

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Multiple Choice

When a lead acid battery is discharged:

In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. When the battery discharges, the chemical reactions convert sulfuric acid into water as the active materials on the plates become lead sulfate. This makes the electrolyte more diluted, so it contains more water than sulfuric acid. The result is a decrease in the acid concentration and in the electrolyte’s density. Therefore, the statement that the electrolyte contains more water than sulfuric acid is the correct description of what happens during discharge. The other ideas—more sulfuric acid, pure water, or no water—don’t occur as discharge progresses.

In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. When the battery discharges, the chemical reactions convert sulfuric acid into water as the active materials on the plates become lead sulfate. This makes the electrolyte more diluted, so it contains more water than sulfuric acid. The result is a decrease in the acid concentration and in the electrolyte’s density. Therefore, the statement that the electrolyte contains more water than sulfuric acid is the correct description of what happens during discharge. The other ideas—more sulfuric acid, pure water, or no water—don’t occur as discharge progresses.

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