Electricity
What happens after electrons in a circuit reach the positive terminal of the battery?
Nothing. They just relax and enjoy their retirement in peace like any other electron.
Original post by Popy999
What happens after electrons in a circuit reach the positive terminal of the battery?
Moved to physics sub section
Original post by Popy999
What happens after electrons in a circuit reach the positive terminal of the battery?
This ^^.
They recombine with cathode atoms which have a deficit of electrons (+ve charge) in their valence shells. By doing this, neutral charge balance in those atoms is restored.
Description:
Current through the circuit is established when the chemical redox reaction within the battery produces a surplus of electrons at the anode and a deficit of electrons at the cathode which occurs when an external conduction path is created between the two electrodes. The rate of the redox reaction and hence flow of charge (current) is governed by the electrical resistance of that external conduction path.
The total number of electrons contained within the charged battery remains constant since the redox reaction takes place as a redox-couple requiring the loss of electrons (oxidation) from the anode and a gain of electrons (reduction) at the cathode.
Because the redox chemical reaction creates a charge imbalance, a voltage potential (difference between +ve and -ve charge quantities) at the electrodes results in a motive force driving electrons around the external circuit.
The electrons arriving at the +ve terminal do so because of the simultaneous attraction (unlike charges attract) of the +vely charged (electron deficit) atoms of the anode, and the push (like charges repel) of the -vely charged (electron surplus) atoms of the cathode.
The redox reactions are completed when no +ve charge cathode atoms are available to accept any more electrons. The charge imbalance between the electrodes is neutralised and hence no force is available move electrons via the external circuit conduction path.
[video]https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/oxidation-reduction/batter-galvanic-voltaic-cell/v/electrodes-and-voltage-of-galvanic-cell[/video]
(edited 9 years ago)
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