What is a lead acid battery?

The lead acid battery is traditionally the most commonly used battery for storing energy. It is already described extensively in Chapter 6 via the examples therein and briefly repeated here. A lead acid battery has current collectors consisting of lead. The anode consists only of this, whereas the anode needs to have a layer of lead oxide, PbO2.

What is a lead-acid battery?

The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents.

Can a lead acid battery fail?

The battery may also fail as an open circuit (that is, there may be a gradual increase in the internal series resistance), and any batteries connected in series with this battery will also be affected. Freezing the battery, depending on the type of lead acid battery used, may also cause irreversible failure of the battery.

What are the advantages of lead acid batteries?

One of the singular advantages of lead acid batteries is that they are the most commonly used form of battery for most rechargeable battery applications (for example, in starting car engines), and therefore have a well-established established, mature technology base.

What happens when a lead acid battery is charged?

5.2.1 Voltage of lead acid battery upon charging. The charging reaction converts the lead sulfate at the negative electrode to lead. At the positive terminal the reaction converts the lead to lead oxide. As a by-product of this reaction, hydrogen is evolved.

Can lead acid batteries be used in commercial applications?

The use of lead acid battery in commercial application is somewhat limited even up to the present point in time. This is because of the availability of other highly efficient and well fabricated energy density batteries in the market.