What is the electrolyte used in a lead storage battery?

In a lead storage battery, sulfuric acid serves as the electrolyte. This strong acid facilitates the necessary chemical reactions between the lead dioxide (PbO2) and sponge lead (Pb) electrodes during both charging and discharging cycles. The combination of water and sulfuric acid creates an acid solution that allows ions to flow between the electrodes, enabling the battery to store and release electrical energy efficiently.

The choice of sulfuric acid is pivotal because it provides the required ions to balance the reactions in the battery, making it effective for energy storage and delivery. Understanding the role of the electrolyte in a lead storage battery helps in recognizing how this battery type operates, particularly in applications like vehicles and backup power systems where reliability and efficiency are crucial.

The other options represent substances that do not function as electrolytes in lead storage batteries. For instance, potassium hydroxide and sodium chloride are not used in lead-acid technology, while acetic acid has a much weaker acidic nature, making it unsuitable for this purpose. This context is essential for grasping the significance of sulfuric acid in lead storage batteries.