1. Module 4

1.1. Big Picture

Big Picture

Module 4—Batteries and Balance

Big Picture Big Picture

 

A photograph shows a high school-aged girl working on a laptop computer at a kitchen table. Her mother is sitting beside her and talking on a cordless telephone.

© 2008 Jupiterimages Corporation

It’s the end of a long day. Your end-of-day routine probably includes checking your cell phone, your MP3 player, and a few other devices to see if their batteries need to be recharged. You probably haven’t considered all the other devices in your home that rely on batteries in order to work.

 

A photograph shows a person wearing white coveralls and protective gloves sorting discarded electronic materials at a disposal facility for special waste. The person in coveralls has a cordless telephone in one hand and the telephone’s rechargeable battery in the other. These items are being placed into separate areas of a large blue bin labeled “Chemicals.” A discarded computer and other electronic equipment are in the bin.

The batteries in a laptop computer or in a cordless telephone provide you with great convenience, but at what cost? While some batteries are rechargeable, others are not. Every battery has a certain lifespan. When a battery reaches the end of its lifespan, it is usually just thrown away without further thought. However, batteries that end up in landfills can leak toxic chemicals into the environment.

 

If you ever make a trip to the Eco Station or special waste handling facility in your area, you might be amazed by how many electronic devices are disposed of. What about the batteries that powered these devices? Is it time to think about your use of batteries and to make some changes in how you use them?

 

In Module 4 you will learn about the design and operation of electrochemical cells. You will apply your understanding of electrochemical change learned in Module 3. You will continue to use tools like the “Table of Selected Standard Electrode Potentials,” your ability to predict spontaneous and non-spontaneous reduction-oxidation reactions, and stoichiometry throughout Module 4.

 

Assessment in This Module


Each lesson contains a range of activities and assessment options. These include assignments, labs, and Self-Check, Try This, Discuss, Reflect and Connect, and Reflect on the Big Picture activities. Instructions will be provided for each of these activities so that you can appropriately focus your time and effort. Your teacher will tell you which assessment options to complete and which responses to submit for marks or feedback. Remember to save all of your work in your Chemistry 30 folder.

 

In the Module 4 Assessment you will apply your knowledge of electrochemical systems to investigate a cell constructed using a potato or a lemon.

 

You may wish to look at the Module Assessment and the Unit Assessment before starting Lesson 1.