Final answer:
The electrolyte in a charged lead acid cell is an aqueous solution composed of approximately 37% sulfuric acid by mass, with a high energy density enabling the creation of 12-V batteries by connecting six cells in series.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a charged lead acid cell, the electrolyte is an aqueous solution, which typically consists of around a 37% (by mass) sulfuric acid and water mixture. This solution has a density of 1.28 g/mL, equating to approximately 4.5 M H2SO4. Within the cell, the anode is made of spongy lead metal, while the cathode consists of powdered lead dioxide (PbO2). The reactions during discharge at the cathode include reduction processes involving HSO4-, H+, and electrons. A single cell produces an electric potential of approximately 2 volts. Consequently, in practical applications such as car batteries, six such cells are connected in series to create a 12-V battery. It's important to highlight that because the redox active species in lead acid cells are solids, the electrodes do not require separation.