2007-05-01 14:18:16 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
making batterys
2007-05-01 14:23:06 · answer #1 · answered by 22 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is very important for the industrial production of many metals. when you dig up rocks that contain metal ions, the metal is in an oxidated state. it is more stable this way. for example if you expose any of the metals in the first column of the periodic table to the air it will catch on fire. if you expose them to water they will explode. therefore you will never find sodium or potassium etc in nature in the zero oxidation state.
you have to set the salt of the metal in a tank and then use high voltage electrolysis on the molten salt somewhere around 800 Celsius. the molten metal must be collected and be kept out of contact with air and water.
other metals are similar. aluminium requires massive voltage to get it from the mineral form Al+3 to Al 0.
lithium is made with the molten salt like sodium, and also the solid lithium is commonly used in batteries because lithium metal is such a strong electron pusher. you give it a place to go and they push electrons through your equipment.
2007-05-01 14:41:03 · answer #2 · answered by ambientdiscord 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not just making batteries (but that's important), but I believe that it can also be useful in determining how fast that certain metals will rust.
2007-05-01 14:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋