Thermodynamic properties of sulfuric-acid solutions and their relation to the electromotive force and heat of reaction of the lead storage battery

Abstract

The heat of reaction in a lead storage cell involves reactions at the positive and negative plates and changes in the heat content of sulfuric-acid solutions. The latter is a variable factor, depending on the concentration of the solution. Newly computed values of the partial molal heat contents have made possible more accurate values of the heat of reaction, based on thermochemical data for comparison with l'imilar values computed from the best available electrochemical data. Good agreement was found. The partial molal heat capacity of sulfuricacid solutions has also been recalculated. Critically selected values of electromotive force and temperature coefficient are given. These include previously unpublished values obtained at this Bureau in 1933. The partial molal volumes of sulfuric-acid solutions are given for a few concentrations and these are used for computing changes in electromotive force with change in pressure.