The silver oxide-zinc battery is rechargeable and utilises sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution as the electrolyte - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 16 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 16
The silver oxide-zinc battery is rechargeable and utilises sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution as the electrolyte. The battery is used as a backup in spacecraft, if the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The silver oxide-zinc battery is rechargeable and utilises sodium hydroxide, NaOH, solution as the electrolyte - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 16 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. $2Ag + 2OH^- \rightarrow Ag_2O + H_2O + 2e^-$
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Answer
This equation represents the oxidation of silver at the anode during the recharging process. Silver ions are converted back to silver metal while hydroxide ions are released.
Step 2
B. $ZnO + H_2O + 2e^- \rightarrow Zn + 2OH^-$
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Answer
This represents a reduction process where zinc oxide is reduced back to zinc, consuming electrons and producing hydroxide ions.
Step 3
C. $Zn + 2OH^- \rightarrow ZnO + H_2O + 2e^-$
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Answer
This reaction indicates the oxidation of zinc to zinc oxide while producing water and releasing electrons.
Step 4
D. $Zn + 2OH^- \rightarrow ZnO + H_2 + 2e^-$
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Answer
This reaction involves the oxidation of zinc to zinc oxide alongside hydrogen gas formation and release of electrons, which is not typical during the recharging phase.
