SCORE:

COURSE, YR. AND SECTION: BSChE – 1; V1 DATE: 09/13/19

SYNOPTIC ASSESMENT #2
Batteries and Fuel Cells

1. What happens to the emf as it is used and why does this happen?

If an electromotive force (emf) of a battery will be used up, the electromotive force (emf) of the
batter will drop into zero since the volatic cell is discharged, because of which, the reactants of the
reaction will then be consumed of the substance changes that makes the electromotive force (emf)
will drop into zero.

2. Suppose that an alkaline battery was manufactured using cadmium metal rather than zinc. What
effect would this have on the cell emf?

Because of its difference in reduction potentials, the value of the electromotive force (emf) will
decrease because zinc has a higher cell potential and it has a higher cell potential than the cadmium.
Higher cell potential means there is a good chance for reduction will occur but lower cell potential
means that there is a good chance for oxidation to occur.

3. What is the difference between a battery and a fuel cell?

A battery and a fuel cell can produce energy in a form of electricity. However, they also have
differences from one another. A battery can store energy hence, it is other known as storage cell,
while the fuel cell requires constant external supply of one or more reactants for it to generate
electricity. This is because the products of the reaction are continuously removed. Hence, everything
the battery needs is compacted all in one inside the cell while the fuel cell is dependent to constant
external supply of reactants since it allows electrical energy to be extracted from a chemical
reaction, directly.

4. Can an alkaline battery be recharged? Why or why not?

An alkaline battery can be recharged however, during or after a recharge, the used alkaline battery
that is being recharged again can potentially generate enough hydrogen gas needed for it to
explode. It is not cost-effective and risky. So, it is advice not to recharge an alkaline battery even if
it can be recharged because of the said factors.

5. Explain the mechanism in rechargeable batteries.

Rechargeable batteries or secondary cells encompass the same mechanism as the primary cells
however, in secondary cells, its RedOx reaction can be reversed with a sufficient amount of energy
that it is being placed into the equation. The Charger will pull the negative charges and bring it
back to the anode, or the right side of the separator. Same idea, the positive charges will go back
to the cathode, or the left side of the separator. Thus, equilibrium is achieved and the battery is
already recharged.