A lead acid battery works on the principle of a chemical reaction to produce voltage and current. The process occurs in the following manner: a lead acid battery consists of lead electrodes immersed in a diluted solution of sulphuric acid known as an electrolyte. The electrodes are of two types, the positive electrode being composed of lead dioxide while the negative electrode comprising of soft spongy lead.
A chemical reaction takes place within the battery in which the lead combines with sulphate ions in the solution to produce lead sulphate and free electrons. If a wire is connected between the two terminals the electrons flow to the positive end setting up the flow of current where another reaction is induced which results in the combining of lead dioxide, hydrogen and sulphate ions from the electrolyte and the free electrons produce more lead sulphate and water. Thus the electrolyte slowly gets converted in to water as the battery is discharged while the lead plates get converted in to lead sulphate. The reaction is however reversible and both plates can be regenerated by way of charging.
A load is connected mid way between the battery terminals and a voltage of about 2 volts can be obtained in a conventional single unit of a lead acid battery.
A chemical reaction takes place within the battery in which the lead combines with sulphate ions in the solution to produce lead sulphate and free electrons. If a wire is connected between the two terminals the electrons flow to the positive end setting up the flow of current where another reaction is induced which results in the combining of lead dioxide, hydrogen and sulphate ions from the electrolyte and the free electrons produce more lead sulphate and water. Thus the electrolyte slowly gets converted in to water as the battery is discharged while the lead plates get converted in to lead sulphate. The reaction is however reversible and both plates can be regenerated by way of charging.
A load is connected mid way between the battery terminals and a voltage of about 2 volts can be obtained in a conventional single unit of a lead acid battery.
