Question

Clean the battery with a mixture of __________, but make sure not to get any of that mixture down inside of the battery, as it will tend to neutralize the electrolyte, damaging the battery.

O baking soda and water
O soap and water
O salt and water
O alcohol and water

Answer 1

Use baking soda and water to clean the battery but avoid letting the solution enter the battery as it can neutralize the electrolyte, damaging the battery.

Step-by-step explanation:

Clean the battery with a mixture of baking soda and water, but make sure not to get any of that mixture down inside of the battery, as it will tend to neutralize the electrolyte, damaging the battery. When dealing with battery maintenance, you want to avoid using anything that could react adversely with the battery's internal chemistry.

Baking soda, a common household ingredient, is a mild base and can neutralize acids, hence it is safe for cleaning the external parts of the battery but should not enter the battery where it can interact with the acidic electrolyte, such as sulfuric acid present in car batteries.