On charging the lead storage battery, the oxidation state of lead changes from x1 to y1 at the anode and from x2 to y2 at the cathode. The values of x1, y1, x2, y2 are respectively :
- 0, +2, +4, +2
- +2, 0, 0, +4
- +4, +2, 0, +2
- +2, 0, +2, +4
Answer
(4) +2, 0, +2, +4
Solution
In the lead storage battery the anode is lead and the cathode is a grid of lead packed with PbO2; on discharge both change to PbSO4.
As per NCERT, on charging the battery the reaction is reversed and PbSO4(s) on the anode and cathode is converted into Pb and PbO2 respectively:
2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l) Pb(s) + PbO2(s) + 4H+(aq) + 2SO42-(aq)
At the anode: +2PbSO4 0Pb x1 = +2, y1 = 0
At the cathode: +2PbSO4 +4PbO2 x2 = +2, y2 = +4
x1, y1, x2, y2 = +2, 0, +2, +4
Answer: (4)