Question

The cathode of a lead storage battery is made up of:

• A. Zinc
• B. Lead oxide
• C. Manganese dioxide
• D. Lead

Hint:

Think about which plate gains electrons and gets reduced when the battery is being charged.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall the two plates of a lead storage battery.
A lead storage battery (lead acid battery) has two types of plates dipped in dilute sulphuric acid, one plate is spongy lead (Pb) and the other is lead dioxide (PbO₂).
Step 2: Recall the meaning of cathode.
A cathode is the electrode where reduction (gain of electrons) takes place. During charging of the battery, lead sulphate on that plate is reduced back to spongy lead, Pb²⁺ plus 2e^- gives Pb, so this plate acts as the cathode in the charging process.
Step 3: Eliminate other options.
Zinc is used in dry cells and Daniell cells, not in a lead storage battery. Manganese dioxide is the depolariser in a dry cell, again unrelated to the lead acid battery. Lead oxide describes the other plate of the battery, not the electrode being asked about here.
Final Answer: D) Lead.