Question

Batteries are made of two metals with different electron affinities. What does the phrase “electron affinity” mean and how does this affinity affect the voltage of the battery?

Answer 1

The phrase 'electron affinity' refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons. In the context of batteries, the electron affinity of the metals involved affects the voltage of the battery. The difference in electron affinities between the metals determines the amount of energy released or absorbed during the transfer, which in turn affects the voltage of the battery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase 'electron affinity' refers to the tendency of an atom to attract electrons. It is a measure of how much energy is released or absorbed when an electron is added to an atom. In the context of batteries, the electron affinity of the metals involved affects the voltage of the battery.

When two metals with different electron affinities are used in a battery, a chemical reaction occurs that involves the transfer of electrons from one metal to the other. This transfer of electrons creates a flow of electric current. The difference in electron affinities between the metals determines the amount of energy released or absorbed during the transfer, which in turn affects the voltage of the battery.

For example, if one metal has a higher electron affinity than the other, it will attract electrons more strongly, causing the electrons to flow from the metal with lower electron affinity to the metal with higher electron affinity. This flow of electrons creates a potential difference or voltage between the two metals, which can be harnessed as electrical energy in a battery.

Answer 2

Electron affinity is the tendency of a metal to accept electrons. In a general battery, one terminal has a higher electron affinity than the other, which attracts more electrons towards it, as compared to the other terminal. This potential difference between terminals create the voltage of the battery.