Check for Understanding

Answer the following questions to see how much you know about rechareable batteries.

1. How does a battery produce power
   
   A chemical reaction in the battery creates a flow of free electrons. When the battery is connected to a device built within a circuit, the electric current flows through the wire to power the device.
   
   
2. Why is lead a bad choice for a battery to be used in space?
   
   Lead batteries are too heavy to lift into space.
   
   
3. What type of battery is on the space station?
   
   The nickel-hydrogen batteries on the space station provide greater electrical output, are lighter, last longer, and can be recharged by the space station solar panels.
   
   
4. What effect does the space station orbit around Earth have on the station’s power supply?
   
   The space station orbits Earth every 90-95 minutes. Two-thirds of the orbit is in direct sunlight and one-third is spent in Earth’s shadow. When the space station receives direct sunlight, the solar panels power the equipment and systems on board and recharge the batteries. When the station is in Earth’s shadow, batteries supply the station’s power.