What is Lead acid battery?
[[File:Photo-CarBattery.jpg|thumb|Lead acid battery in a car]] A '''lead acid battery''' is a [[secondary cell]], meaning that it is rechargeable. It is very common in [[car]]s and [[truck]]s. It contains plates of [[lead]] and [[lead(IV) oxide]] in a [[sulfuric acid]] [[solution]]. The lead(IV) oxide [[oxidation|oxidizes]] the lead plate, making an [[electrical current]]. Lead-acid batteries are the cheapest [[rechargeable battery|rechargeable batteries]] and can produce much power. They contain toxic lead, though, and should be [[recycling|recycled]]. They are [[wet cell]]s, and the dangerous acid can spill out. [[Sealed lead acid battery|Sealed lead acid batteries]] are batteries where the sulfuric acid is in a [[gel]] which stays in, even when the battery is turned up side down. Reactions: # lead(IV) oxide + sulfuric acid + extra [[hydrogen]] ions → [[lead(II) sulfate]] + water at cathode # lead + extra [[sulfate]] ions → lead(II) sulfate at anode These reactions are reversed when the battery is charged. ==Related pages== *[[Wet cell]] *[[Table of batteries]] {{science-stub}} [[Category:Batteries]]