Final answer:
The negative plates in a lead-acid battery are made of spongy lead metal, while the positive plates are made of powdered lead dioxide, with both types of plates submerged in sulfuric acid electrolyte.
Step-by-step explanation:
The materials that make up the negative and positive plates of a lead-acid battery are essential to its operation. The negative plate or the anode is made from spongy lead metal whereas the positive plate, or the cathode consists of powdered lead dioxide (PbO₂). Both types of plates are immersed in an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid which serves as the electrolyte.
Detailed chemical reactions in a lead-acid battery involve the transfer of electrons with the sulfuric acid electrolyte aiding in the conduction of charge as well as participating in the reactions themselves. These reactions are key to the discharge and recharge cycles of the battery. The standard potential (E°) of such a cell is approximately 2 volts and connecting multiple cells in series allows for the creation of batteries with higher voltages such as a common 12 V car battery which has six cells in series.