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You have studied one of the cells shown below - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 19 - 2005 - Paper 1
Question 19
You have studied one of the cells shown below. Choose ONE of the cells and answer parts (a) and (b). (a) State ONE environmental impact associated with the cell yo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:You have studied one of the cells shown below - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 19 - 2005 - Paper 1
Step 1
State ONE environmental impact associated with the cell you have chosen.
Answer
One significant environmental impact of using Cell X (a battery) is the release of harmful heavy metals such as cadmium and lead into the environment after improper disposal. These metals can contaminate soil and waterways, posing risks to human health and local ecosystems.
Step 2
Describe the chemistry of the cell you have chosen.
Answer
Cell X operates on the principle of electrochemical reactions between its components. In a typical alkaline battery, the anode is composed of zinc, while the cathode is made of manganese dioxide. During discharge, the zinc oxidizes, releasing electrons, while manganese dioxide is reduced at the cathode.
The overall reaction for an alkaline battery can be represented as:
ightarrow ext{Zn(OH)}_2 + 2 ext{Mn(OH)}_2$$ The electrolyte, typically potassium hydroxide, facilitates the movement of hydroxide ions, allowing the charge to flow through the circuit. The ability of the cell to convert chemical energy into electrical energy makes it efficient for a range of applications.