CHEMISTRY: ELECTROLYTES

CHEMISTRY: ELECTROLYTES

Hi Friends

Come On Let us dive into the ocean of General Science,

Electrolytes in the human body

• Electrolytes are required in the body to maintain balance between intracellular and extracellular liquids. In particular, it is important to maintain the osmotic gradient between inside and outside.
  
• Electrolyte balance is maintained by oral and intravenous intake
  
• Kidneys flush out excess electrolytes
  
• Dehydration and overhydration are caused by electrolyte imbalance
  
• Hormones that maintain electrolyte balance are antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone and parathyroid hormone
  
• The most common electrolyte in the body is salt (sodium chloride)

Functions of electrolytes in the body

• Maintain blood pH
  
• Muscle and neuron activation
  
• Hydration of the body
  

Other common applications of electrolytes

• Sports drinks
  
• Batteries
  
• Fuel cells
  
• Electroplating
  
• Capacitors
  

Sports Drinks

• Sports drinks replenish the body’s water and electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by exercise, vomiting, diarrhea etc.
  
• They are made of electrolytes containing sodium and potassium salts
  
• Examples of sports drinks: Glucon-D, Gatorade etc
  
• Simplest electrolyte drink that can be made at home is water + sugar + salt
  

Batteries

Battery	Electrode	Electrolyte	Other notes
Alkaline	Zinc, Manganese oxide	Potassium Hydroxide
Daniell cell	Copper, Zinc	Copper sulphate, zinc sulphate
Leclanche cell	Zinc, carbon	Ammonium chloride	Precursor of modern dry cell
Voltaic pile	Copper, zinc	Brine	First electric battery, invented in 1880
Zinc carbon	Zinc, carbon, manganese dioxide	Zinc chloride, ammonium chloride	Most common battery
Zinc chloride	Same as above	Zinc chloride	Improvement on zinc carbon battery
Lead-acid	Lead, lead dioxide	Sulphuric acid	Oldest rechargeable battery Used in vehicles as they provide high surge currents
Lithium-ion	Graphite, Lithium Cobalt oxide	Non-aqueous lithium salts	Rechargable Slow self-discharge, high energy to weight ratio
Nickel Cadmium	Nickel oxide hydroxide, cadmium		Rechargable Last longer, more stable than lithium ion
Fuel cell	Hydrogen (fuel), oxygen (oxidant)	Polymer membrane Aqueous alkaline solution	Consumes reactant from an external source High energy efficiency and high reliability No moving parts Used in space shuttles, submarines

Common electrolytes and their uses

Electrolyte	Uses	Other notes
Sodium chloride	Primary component of extracellular fluid Food preservative
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)	Manufacture of paper, soaps, detergents, drain cleaners Purification of drinking water
Silver nitrate	Photographic films Water disinfection (esp. on space shuttles)
Hydrochloric acid	Manufacture of PVC, household cleaners Food additives (like gelatin) Leather processing	Found naturally in gastric acid
Sulphuric acid	Lead-acid batteries Ore processing Fertilizer manufacture	Soluble in water at all concentrations One of the largest products of chemical industry
Nitric acid	Determining metal traces in solutions Wood finishing	Colourless when pure, yellows with age Highly corrosive
Acetic acid	Manufacture of soft drink bottles Photographic films Synthetic fibres and fabrics	Dilute acetic acid is called vinegar
Ammonium hydroxide (aqueous ammonia)	Cleaning agent
Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime or pickling lime)	Sewage treatment Whitewash, plaster, mortar Hair relaxers	Natural mineral form is called portlandite (rare mineral occurring in volcanic rocks)

THANKS


JOHAR