Electron Movement in a Closed Circuit: How Do Batteries Facilitate the Flow?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the movement of electrons in a closed circuit and the role of batteries in facilitating this flow. Participants explore concepts related to redox reactions, the source of electrons, and the chemical processes occurring within batteries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what happens to electrons when they reach the positive end of the battery and whether they need to return through the negative end, considering electron repulsion.
  • Another participant states that electrons are consumed in a redox reaction at the cathode when they reach the positive end of the battery.
  • There is confusion expressed about whether the electrons in the circuit originate from the conductor itself, with a participant suggesting that the battery only supplies voltage.
  • One participant asserts that the battery produces electrons, indicating that larger batteries can produce more electrons due to having more reactants.
  • Questions arise about whether the electrons produced by the battery are solely for voltage production or if they also move through the conductor.
  • A participant explains the redox reactions involved, detailing how electrons and ions interact at the cathode and anode.
  • Another participant summarizes the process of electron flow and chemical reactions occurring at the cathode and anode, noting the changes in chemical composition and the eventual depletion of reactive materials.
  • There is a question regarding the identity of reactive materials, specifically whether they include the electrolyte or the anode/cathode materials.
  • A later reply confirms that all mentioned components (electrolyte, anode, and cathode) are reactive materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the source of electrons in a circuit and the role of the battery, indicating that multiple competing views remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' statements depend on specific definitions of terms like "reactive materials" and the nature of redox reactions, which may not be fully resolved in the discussion.

ghost99
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Here's my question. On a closed circuit, you have the electrons of the conductor being pushed-pulled around the circuit from the negative end of the battery to the positive end.

So what happens to the electrons when they reach the positive end of the battery?
In order for the electrons to move around the complete circuit, don't they have to go through the negative end of the battery? If so, how can do this if the excess electrons would repel them?
 
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ghost99 said:
So what happens to the electrons when they reach the positive end of the battery?
They are consumed in the redox reaction at the cathode.
 
I guess that's where my confusion comes from.

I thought that the electrons moving in a circuit all came from the conductor (i.e the battery does not supply the electrons just the voltage). So the same electrons just moved around the conductor as the voltage was being applied. Is this correct?
 
ghost99 said:
I guess that's where my confusion comes from.

I thought that the electrons moving in a circuit all came from the conductor (i.e the battery does not supply the electrons just the voltage). So the same electrons just moved around the conductor as the voltage was being applied. Is this correct?

No, the battery produces electrons. Why do you think a D cell is so much bigger then a AAA? It has more reactants thus can produce more electrons, but has the same voltage.
 
ok
The battery produces electrons, but is it only to produce the voltage?

Or are you saying these electrons the the battery creates are moved through the conductor also?
 
Do you understand redox reactions? If you write down the reduction and oxidation half reactions reactions separately you will see that on one side the metal loses electrons and ions to the electrolyte and on the other side electrons and ions in the electrolyte are deposited onto the metal.
 
In a nutshell...

1. A chemical reaction at the cathode between the cathode and the electrolyte deposits an electron on the cathode and produces a positive ion in the electrolyte.

2. The electron flows through the circuit. At the same time the ion moves through the electrolyte to the anode.

3. A second chemical reaction occurs at the anode that combines electrons with positive ions to form neutral molecules.

During steps 1 and 3 the chemical composition of the cathode, anode, and electrolyte are all changed. As the amount of reactive material drops the rate of the reactions also drops. When the rate of reaction no longer meets the demands of the circuit the battery is dead.
 
Is the reactive material the electorlyte? or the anode/cathode material?
 
Yes. They are all reactive materials.
 

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