Answer :
Final answer:
The explosive gas produced by the reaction in automotive batteries with metal plates and sulfuric acid is hydrogen. This is due to the electrolysis of water in the battery during discharging, releasing hydrogen gas which is explosive. Therefore, the correct answer is option B) hydrogen.
Explanation:
The explosive gas produced by the chemical reaction of metal plates and sulfuric acid in an automotive battery is hydrogen. When sulfuric acid is used in car batteries, it undergoes ionization forming hydrogen ions and sulfate ions. Upon discharging the battery, the water component is electrolyzed resulting in the evolution of hydrogen gas which is potentially explosive.
The overall chemical reaction in a lead-acid battery can be simplified to:
- Pb + PbO2 + 2H2SO4 → 2PbSO4 + 2H2O
As part of this process, during recharging:
- 2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
This reaction results in the release of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, where hydrogen is the explosive component referenced in the question. It is critical that the recharging process is monitored to optimize battery life and prevent hazards due to the explosive nature of hydrogen.