The Chemistry of Batteries and Its Implications on Modern Society free essay sample

Batteries have proven to be the core of modern day technology, without batteries modern day technology and some electronics would have never existed. Nations that invest more in battery run technology tend to have a higher labor productivity rate. This is because battery powered electronics increase could potentially increase the productivity rate of labor and thus an increase in capital goods. Electronics have also been seen as the driving force of emerging economies, in fact almost all Ramp;D expenditure in China is for telecommunications and electronics (Huwai, 2011). For example China’s invest in research and development in electronic factory machines (Industry Innovation, 2007) allowed Chinese manufacturers to boost overall domestic production providing lower cost goods and allowing it to further compete in the global market. A rechargeable car battery (or an automotive battery) is a battery that supplies electrical energy to an automobile and allows us to start up the vehicle’s engine, lights and electrical necessities, cars. We will write a custom essay sample on The Chemistry of Batteries and Its Implications on Modern Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The benefits of batteries in todays societies is incomprehensible, whether it be the use of batteries in smartphones to flashlights or even to car batteries, the use of batteries has helped developed and create a modern society that we live in. Without batteries smartphones and mobiles would have never been created and telecommunications would be nothing more than house phones and primitive electronic devices. The convenience of batteries is that they are portable and rechargeable allowing them to be carried with. In sense batteries is just an energy storage device that does not need to be plugged into an energy source to be functional. Chemical energy is stored in the battery and when required the converted energy is released. A battery is made up of one or more electrochemical cells, each of which consists of two half-cells. In the redox reaction that powers the battery cations are reduced (electrons are added) at the cathode while anions are oxided. In this world batteries seem to be the only convenient and portable technology available to power the thousands of different electronic devices that are used everyday. Since its invention the battery has helped create orld-shaping convenient equipment ranging from the flashlight to common childhood toys to car batteries. Batteries have helped mankind accomplish innovative inventions throughout the previous century, and continues to do so, it has also contributed to the development of modern society by constantly powering new trends. However is there a price to all this, and if so, does the benefits of batteries outweigh the costs? Used dead lead batteries are almost always dumped into landfills that can severely damage the environment and the health of well-beings nearby. In fact 20,000 tons of batteries were landfilled annually in the UK alone (Rebatt, 2007), and global lead battery production is approximated to be worth $36. 2 billion in 2010 and is steadily increasing (OakIsland, 2006) meaning that an increasing number of lead batteries are dumped every year. Toxic led batteries can cause dirt contamination that is provoked by the attendance of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or supplementary alteration in the usual dirt environment. Dumped batteries are a toxicant to the environment, which is the result of the continuous human choice of wealth over the environment. Over 120 million people are affected negatively by this exposure of led, 99% of whom reside in developing countries (Rebatt, 2007). Scientific studies display that long-term exposure to even puny numbers of lead can cause kidney and brain damage, hearing impairment, as well as setbacks in children (Mary, 2009). Automobiles worldwide use over one million metric tons of lead every year, in which 90% are attributed to standard lead-acid vehicle batteries (HybridCars, 2011). However, there are other environmental solutions towards dealing with the disposal of lead batteries. Instead of dumping thousands of tons of dead batteries into dreadful landfills, we are able to recycle these batteries therefore getting rid of the disposal problem. By recycling batteries a manufacture could potentially minimize the resources required in creating new batteries. However the process of recycling lead batteries is nearly as toxic as dumping them in landfills. Recycling procedures further discharges tons of lead into the environment. Lead is disappeared and emerging fumes are released into the air. This toxic metal is next obtainable for human absorption as airborne, beforehand resolving in dust and soil (Marry, 2009). The fundamental base of reactions is the movement of electrons from one atom to another. Energy comes in different forms and the battery uses electrochemical cells to convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy via electron transfer (Bellis, 2006). This allows energy to be used to create additional reactions. The battery uses the redox to create electricity portably without needed to be plugged into a continuous electric source. Chemical energy is stored in the battery and when required the converted energy is released. A battery is made up of one or more electrochemical cells, each of which consists of two half-cells (Mary, 2008). In the redox reaction that powers the battery cations are reduced (electrons are added) at the cathode while anions are oxided.

Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba Essays - Solomon, Books Of Kings

Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba Essays - Solomon, Books Of Kings Solomon And The Queen Of Sheba On Francesco del Cossas Meeting of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba The Italian artist, Francesco del Cossa, created an oil painting on a panel during the mid-15th century called Meeting of Solomon and the Queen Sheba. This work is now displayed in the Boston Museum of Fine Art. The plate that identifies the painted tray in the museum explains that this twelve sided tray is a ceremonial tray, most likely in honor of the marriage of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and given to them as a gift. The back of the tray was against the wall but the identification plate noted that two cupid figures with cornucopias and coral necklaces were painted there to symbolize good luck and fertility. The most striking part of this work is the symmetry. The symmetrical architectural structures perfectly centers the palace. The dome of the palace perfectly divides the arch behind it; the highest point of the palace perfectly divides the sky within the main arch. The next most noticeable point of this painting is where the figures of the Queen of Sheba and Solomon stand. They appear to protrude out from the rest of the painting. Each has an out turned foot that comes into the viewers space. This aspect and the symmetry make it apparent that the Queen and Solomon are the characters to be focused on. The deep color is very striking, especially the abundance of reds, pinks and purple. It seems very bold, perhaps suggesting the royalty of the subjects. The overcast gray sky is the same color as the dome of Solomons palace. Perhaps the dome is supposed to look as if it is made of metal, but it appears to reflect the trouble that is about to storm. The entire painting is almost composed exclusively of shades of red and black, with highlights of blue. The use of color is not realistic, but very symbolic. Meeting of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba utilizes many of the techniques that were beginning to be used in painting during the 15th century. The vanishing point lies on the central angelic statue above the arch of Solomons throne. The lines created by the checkered floor and the landscape in the background suggest the depth and distance of this image. Francesco del Cossa filled the space he had. All space is taken advantage of by detail of architecture and people. The arches and circular lines may suggest motion. As a whole, this painting is very geometrical with the twelve-sided frame, the repetition of the arches and the line of people represented across the lower half of the work. The people in this painting are telling. The viewer first notices the Queen of Sheba and Solomon, who are at the so close to the edge of the floor that if they took one more step they would step to the ground. Their hands just slightly touch, but do not hold eachother, as if they would rather not have their hands that close together. This may suggest that this marriage is not a ceremony of love, but one of necessity. This is also reflected by their eyes, which do not meet. In fact, Solomon appears to be in a daze, almost possessed. The Queen of Sheba has a slight smile on her lips but her down turned eyes make her seem sad. The subjects on either side of the Queen and Solomon are interesting as well. Almost every woman appears to be in the correct place. They seem quite proper with their hands clasped in a similar fashion behind the Queen. They appear to be supporting her. The men behind Solomon are less organized. Two men, one in a bright red cloak, appear to be having a conversation of their own, taking away from the important event that is depicted. There is a mysterious man in black in the background at the right. He is leaning against his own small archway; his hat and dress are unlike the others. He holds a strange red object at his waist. There is also a small woman wearing all black in the lower left part of this painting. She does not display the same

Discuss the extent to which economic integration within the EU has Essay - 1

Discuss the extent to which economic integration within the EU has been subordinated to the achievement of political objectives - Essay Example World War; the legal, economic and political framework of the EU is rooted in the Franco-German tradition, which has lent itself to EU tensions with the political agendas of certain other member states such as Britain (Lippert, 2001, p.114). The fragmentation of the single monetary union and the EU agenda with national political agendas has become increasingly prominent in relation to the EU enlargement programme particularly with the controversial Turkey accession question remaining uncertain (Lahav, 2004, p.113). Indeed, Artis & Nixon suggest that the EU’s economic objectives in the last decade have reached crisis point on grounds of the bicycle theory paradigm, where there is a â€Å"slowing of momentum precedes collapse, or in this case crisis† (Artis & Nixon, 2007, p.1). In supporting their proposition, Artis and Nixon comment that as follows: â€Å"the list of setbacks is rather a long one. The negative outcomes of the referenda on the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands in 2005 must head the list because of their symbolic significance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ these cannot but induce a loss of confidence in the viability of the European Union† (2007, p.1). They further argue that the EU relies on co-ordination and mutual co-operation of states and that the enlargement of the EU and free movement within the labour market rules has fuelled numerous derogations from certain member states (2007). This in turn has raised the question as to the extent to which national political objectives are actually taking precedence to EU economic objectives. For example, Artis and Nixon refer to the fact that many member states opt out or derogate or suspend certain obligations to address national political agendas such as certain member states derogating from the free movement of workers provisions for a period of seven years and the conditions of former communist Eastern European states as part of EU enlargement (2007). With regard to the latter, the continuation of the