Previous Year Question
Which of the following acids is used in a car battery?
A.
Acetic Acid
B.
Hydrochloric Acid
C.
Nitric Acid
D.
Sulphuric Acid
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
In a conventional lead-acid car battery, an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is used as the electrolyte. The EPA confirms that lead-acid automobile batteries contain a sulphuric-acid electrolyte.
In a lead-acid battery, the positive electrode is mainly lead dioxide (PbO₂), the negative electrode is lead (Pb), and the electrolyte is sulphuric-acid based.
Important fact: Here, “car battery” refers to the conventional 12-V lead-acid starter battery. Not every battery used in a modern vehicle necessarily uses the same chemistry.