Chemistry and Electricity

This is one of the 14 Background Books published for Stage III of the Nuffield Chemistry Sample Scheme. The books were highly illustrated and designed to be attractive. This book introduces thermodynamic concepts and applies them the a variety of types of chemicals cells.

There are seven parts to this book:

• Part 1: Electricity from chemicals
Chemical cells, metal electrodes, hydrogen electrodes and electrode potentials. Using electrode potentials to predict the direction and extent of change.

• Part 2 The work of a reaction and the heat of a reaction
The distinction between the work of a reaction and the heat of a reaction/.

• Part 3: Practical cells for producing current
Cells characterised in terms of the working voltage, the steady current the cells can deliver and the total energy available.

• Part 4: Modern cells in use
Descriptions of dry cells, alkaline cells, mercury cells and other cells

• Part 5: Storage cells
An account of the composition of lead-acid cells, nickel-iron and nickel-cadmium cells.

• Part 6: Fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells discussed in terms of electrode potentials.

• Part 7: Using electricity to make new materials
The use of electrolysis to
- extract metals such as sodium and aluminium
- to purify metals such as copper
- to manufacture chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide
- anodize aluminium.

This book was published in 1969. The content now largely features in post-16, advanced courses. Much of the content is out of date and the treatment is not appropriate for modern courses.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx3v2