Automotive Battery Concepts and Functions

Front

What are the smallest units of matter that create all chemical elements?

Back

Atoms

Answer explanation

Atoms are the smallest material that makes up everything around us.

Front

Electricity is the movement of charged particles called

Back

Electrons

Answer explanation

Electrons have a negative charge and will begin to flow when there is an imbalance of electrons between two materials.

Front

________ provide a path for electricity to flow.

Back

Conductors

Answer explanation

Conductors are materials like metals where electricity easily flows. Insulators are materials like rubber or plastic. Electricity does not flow through these materials.

Front

True or False: Batteries store energy in its chemical form.

Back

True

Answer explanation

Car batteries use two different types of lead and sulfuric acid to store the chemical energy used to create an electric current.

Front

The first battery was invented in ____.

Back

1799

Answer explanation

The first battery was created in 1799 by Alessandro Volta. His name is where the term 'volt' comes from.

Front

In an automotive battery ______ and _______ are used to store the chemical energy.

Back

leads and acid

Answer explanation

Zinc, magnesium, lithium, and graphite are all used in different types of batteries that are not used in a vehicle.

Front

A car battery is a _____ cell, which means it can be recharged.

Back

Secondary

Answer explanation

The alternator helps to reverse the chemical reaction that happens in the battery. It restores the metals to their original form and charges the battery.

Front

In a car battery the lead peroxide plate ________ electrons and is ________.

Back

gives up, oxidized

Answer explanation

The lead peroxide plate gives up electrons into the electrolyte. Anything that gives up electrons is the oxidizing agent in a redox reaction.

Front

The lead plate ______ electrons and is ________.

Back

accepts, reduced

Answer explanation

The lead plate accepts electrons from the electrolyte. Anything that accepts, or gains electrons in a redox reaction is the reducing agent. It is reduced because it becomes more negative as it gains electons.

Front

True or False: All the electrons in the battery are balanced, which causes the movement of electrons.

Back

False

Answer explanation

An imbalance of electrons is why the electrons will begin to flow.