Question
Which from following statements regarding mercury battery is NOT true?
MHT CET
Chemistry
Electrochemistry
2026
MHT CET 2026 (15 April Shift 1)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. It is a primary dry cell.
- B. It consists of Zn anode amalgamated with mercury.
- C. The electrolyte is strongly acidic.
- D. In this Hg is obtained by reduction of HgO
Answer
C. The electrolyte is strongly acidic.
Step-by-step solution
A mercury battery is a primary dry cell. The anode consists of zinc amalgamated with mercury, Zn(Hg) . The cathode is a paste of HgO and carbon, where HgO is reduced to Hg during the operation of the cell. The electrolyte is a paste of KOH and ZnO . Since KOH is a strong base, the electrolyte is strongly alkaline, not acidic. Therefore, the statement that the electrolyte is strongly acidic is incorrect. Answer: The electrolyte is strongly acidic.
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