What is the electrolyte used in a nickel-cadmium battery?

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Multiple Choice

What is the electrolyte used in a nickel-cadmium battery?

Explanation:
Nickel-cadmium cells rely on an alkaline environment, so the electrolyte is an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The OH- ions from potassium hydroxide participate in the electrode reactions at both the positive and negative electrodes and keep the chemistry stable through charge and discharge cycles. Using sulfuric acid would introduce an acid electrolyte incompatible with the NiOOH/Ni(OH)2 and Cd electrodes and would accelerate corrosion and unwanted reactions. A sodium chloride solution wouldn’t provide the needed alkaline medium and can promote chloride-related issues, while pure water wouldn’t supply enough ions to carry current. So potassium hydroxide in water is the correct electrolyte.

Nickel-cadmium cells rely on an alkaline environment, so the electrolyte is an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The OH- ions from potassium hydroxide participate in the electrode reactions at both the positive and negative electrodes and keep the chemistry stable through charge and discharge cycles. Using sulfuric acid would introduce an acid electrolyte incompatible with the NiOOH/Ni(OH)2 and Cd electrodes and would accelerate corrosion and unwanted reactions. A sodium chloride solution wouldn’t provide the needed alkaline medium and can promote chloride-related issues, while pure water wouldn’t supply enough ions to carry current. So potassium hydroxide in water is the correct electrolyte.

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