What is the Difference Between Local Action and Polarization?

Local action and polarization are two types of defects found in simple electric batteries that reduce their practical value and performance. Here are the main differences between the two:

Local Action:

• Local action is the internal loss of a battery due to local currents that flow between electrochemical cells.
• It occurs when embedded impurities in a zinc electrode can act as positive electrodes, creating electric currents.
• This defect can be minimized using improved battery designs, such as the Daniel cell, which reduces polarization.

Polarization:

• Polarization is a defect that occurs in simple electric cells due to the accumulation of hydrogen gas around the positive electrode.
• It leads to the termination of the cell reaction in the battery.
• Polarization is caused by the production of hydrogen gas in chemical reactions, which accumulates around the positive electrode.

In summary, local action is the internal loss of a battery due to local currents, while polarization is the accumulation of hydrogen gas around the positive electrode, leading to the termination of the cell reaction.

Comparative Table: Local Action vs Polarization

Local action and polarization are two types of defects that occur in simple electric batteries, reducing their practical value and performance. Here is a table comparing the differences between local action and polarization:

In summary, local action is the deterioration of a battery due to currents flowing from and to the same electrode, while polarization is the slowing down of the cell reaction due to the accumulation of hydrogen gas at the electrodes. Both defects can be minimized by using materials with high purity and improving cell design.