Question

A scientist is using a lithium ion battery to power her laptop. Which statement about the battery is correct?
-the mass of the battery increases when it is recharged
-A new substance is formed as the battery is used
-Electrons are lost to the environment when the battery is used
-Lithium atoms are created as the battery recharges

Answer 1

The correct statement about the lithium-ion battery is:

- The mass of the battery increases when it is recharged.

While the other statements may seem plausible at a glance, they are inaccurate in the context of lithium-ion battery operation:

- A new substance is not formed as the battery is used; instead, the lithium ions move between the anode and cathode during discharge and recharge.
- Electrons are not lost to the environment; they flow through an external circuit, but they remain within the system.
- Lithium atoms are not created; rather, lithium ions move between different materials inside the battery.

Therefore, the mass of the battery can slightly change depending on the charging process and how lithium ions are stored in the anode and cathode materials, but it does not fundamentally increase in substance like creating new material.