Question

Need help now!! Engineers at a technology company are designing a new battery for the next generation of cell phones. How will knowing the about the molecular structure of different metals help them choose the best materials?

Answer 1

Answer:

A battery consists of some number of voltaic cells made up of two half-cells that are connected in series by a conductive electrolyte containing metal cations (positive ions). It contains one half-cell with an electrolyte and the negative electrode, the electrode to which anions (negatively charged ions) migrate, and the other half-cell includes electrolyte and the positive electrode, to which cations (positively charged ions) migrate. Cations gain electron at the cathode, while anions are loose electrons at the anode.

The voltage developed across a cell's terminals depends on the energy release of the chemical reactions of its electrodes and electrolyte, so a strong metal at the anode will guarantee a higher energy release.

Also, since the reaction is redox, knowing about the nature of metals, especially their order in the electrochemical series will determine the ease of reaction when used for a battery.