The Structure and Chemistry of a Dry Cell
A dry cell is usually referred to as a zinc-carbon cell because its components. Its electrochemical system constitutes a manganese dioxide cathode and a zinc anode. Additionally, the electrolyte is made up of zinc chloride which is solved in water and combined with ammonium chloride. For the most or commonly used batteries such as the round cells, a rod of carbon is used which is placed centrally down. The carbon rod serves as a collector of current for the positive terminal located at the top of the cell even though it is chemically inert. Current inside the dry zinc carbon cell moves through the carbon rod that serves as the positive terminal, the electrolyte mainly made of manganese dioxide and the zinc can which acts as a negative terminal (Aggeliki Para. 1).
In operation, the chemical energy is converted to electrical energy through a series of reactions on the cathode and the anode in an electrolyte. During the chemical reactions, hydrogen gas is released by ammonia which collects on the carbon electrode causing polarization. However, the manganese dioxide releases oxygen which depolarizes and hence they combine to form water. The chemical reactions at the negative and positive terminals are as shown below:
Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2 e−
2MnO2(s) + 2 e− + 2NH4Cl(aq) → Mn2O3(s) + 2NH3(aq) + H2O(l) + 2 Cl−
The two equations can be combined to form the following overall equation:
Zn(s) + 2MnO2(s) + 2NH4Cl(aq) → Mn2O3(s) + Zn(NH3)2Cl2 (aq) + H2O(l)
The dry cell has an electromotive force of about 1.5V (Stamell 30).
(Aggeliki Para. 4).
The Button Cell
The button cell is a cylindrically shaped battery that measures 5 to 20 mm in diameter and the height ranges from 1 to 6 mm high depending on its use. They are mostly used to supply power to small electronic devices such as hearing aids, wrist watches and portable calculators. The cathode part of the button cell constitutes a manganese dioxide, carbon monofluoride, silver oxide, oxygen or cupric oxide. The metal can forms the positive terminal which forms the bottom body while the negative terminal is the insulated top cap. Depending on the type or composition of the cell, voltage stability and the service life are affected according to these two factors. The table below shows a summary of the comparison of the two cells (Batteries Para. 3).
(Batteries Para. 6).
(Stamell 30).
Radioisotopes
An isotope is generally defined as the atoms of the same element that contain different number of neutrons. Most of these isotopes have an unstable nucleus which emits neutrons in order to attain stability. The unstable nucleus changes when it gives off a neutron and thus emits radiations hence the term radioactive substance. Therefore, a radioactive isotope is generally termed as a radioisotope and these are all elements whose atomic number exceeds 83 (U.S Environmental Protection Agency Para. 1).
Uses in Medicine
Cobalt-60 can be used as a radiation source by irradiating its radiations to specific sites on the human body with cancerous growths in order to control or eliminate them. Teletherapy or an external irradiation procedure is employed using a gamma beam whose source is the radioactive cobalt-60 to focus on a cancerous growth or tumor in the brain of a human being. Strontium-89 is generally known to be used for relief of cancer-induced bone pain since the majority of these therapeutic procedures are palliative. The dangers associated with the use of these radioisotopes are that they kill the cells of the body where they are focused including the healthy cell. They may also lead to a gradual cell deterioration and destruction in the body (World Nuclear Association Para. 2-5).
Radioisotopes Used in Industry
On the other hand, there are quite a number of radioisotopes used in different industries providing critical capabilities in those industries. The industries include the oil and gas, manufacturing, electrical power constructions and the food industries. An example of such isotopes is Americum-241 (Am-241) which is used in a number of smoke detectors in business enterprises and homes. It is also used to measure the amount of toxic lead in paint samples that have been dried. In addition, Americum-241 is also used to ensure uniformity in thickness in rolling processes such as paper and steel production. Americium-241 can as well be used to determine the places where there is oil exploration before the drilling process commences. The isotope mostly emits alpha particles but it also emits gamma rays. It is indicated that americium-241 has a half life of 432.7 years (U.S Environmental Protection Agency Para. 1, 6).
Conclusion
In summary, the dry cell battery and the button cell battery have a relationship in the sense that they are primary and disposable batteries. Both of them are also non-rechargeable. However, they exhibit small differences on their chemical composition and structure. In addition, radioisotopes are radioactive in nature that emits neutrons when the nucleus changes in order to attain stability. They are widely used in different fields such as medicine and industry and their usage have critical capabilities. However, they also have their disadvantages such as killing of vital cells or tissues in the body that may lead to organ malfunction when used in therapeutic processes.
Works Cited:
Aggeliki K. How Dry Cell Batteries Generate Electricity. 20 May. 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. < http://www.brighthubengineering.com/power-generation-distribution/71386-how-dry-cell-batteries-generate-electricity/ >
Batteries. Greg Goebel, 1.1 (2012): 12-15. < http://www.vectorsite.net/tpchem_12.html>
Stamell, Jim. Excel HSC chemistry. Glebe, NSW: Pascal Press, 2008.
U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Radioisotopes Commonly Used in Devices by Industry. 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. < http://www.epa.gov/radiation/source-reduction-management/radionuclides.html>
World Nuclear Association. Radioisotopes in Medicine. Oct. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. < http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Non-Power-Nuclear-Applications/Radioisotopes/Radioisotopes-in-Medicine/>
