CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · CBSE · Chemistry · Structure of the Atom · Structure of the Atom
Problem
During discharge of a lithium-ion battery, lithium ions migrate from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. Consider lithium atoms and ions involved in one such discharge step.
Take ZLi=3 and the elementary charge magnitude e=1.60×10−19C.
(a) Determine the number of electrons in a neutral lithium atom and in a single Li+ ion.
(b) If 3.0×1018Li+ ions reach the cathode during a brief time interval, calculate the total charge transported by these ions across the electrolyte.
(c) The external circuit simultaneously provides electrons to the cathode so that the arriving Li+ ions can become neutral Li atoms. How many electrons must flow through the external circuit in the same time interval? Justify your answer based on charge conservation.