Electrolyte||Solid-state Batteries||UPSC Current Affairs

Description

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Context

An Osaka Metropolitan University research group has developed an electrolyte with high conductivity, formability, and electrochemical stability.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when they are dissolved in water or body fluids, including blood. The electric charge can be positive or negative. You have electrolytes in your blood, urine (pee), tissues, and other body fluids.

Electrolytes are important because they help:

Balance the amount of water in the body
Balance the body's acid/base (pH) level
Move nutrients into the cells
Move wastes out of the cells
Support the muscle and nerve function
Keep the heart rate and rhythm steady
Keep the blood pressure stable
Keep the bones and teeth healthy

What are the different types of electrolytes in the body?

Electrolyte	Functions in the Body	Sources
*Sodium (Na⁺)*	Regulates fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve/muscle function	Table salt, processed foods, soy sauce
*Potassium (K⁺)*	Crucial for heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling	Bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach
*Calcium (Ca²⁺)*	Essential for bone health, blood clotting, muscle function, and nerve signaling	Dairy products, green leafy vegetables, fortified foods
*Magnesium (Mg²⁺)*	Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including muscle/nerve function, heart rhythm, and energy production	Nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables
*Chloride (Cl⁻)*	Maintains fluid balance, supports digestion as a component of stomach acid (HCl), and helps maintain proper pH in blood	Table salt, seaweed, tomatoes
*Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)*	Vital for energy production (ATP), bone formation, and acid-base balance	Meat, dairy, beans, nuts, whole grains
*Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)*	Key buffer in maintaining acid-base balance in the blood, preventing acidosis or alkalosis	Produced by the body, dairy, fruits, vegetables

What is an electrolyte imbalance?

An electrolyte imbalance means that the level of one or more electrolytes in the body is too low or too high. It can happen when the amount of water in the body changes.

Read about solid state batteries: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/solid-state-battery

Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q:Consider the following statements regarding Electrolytes:

Electrolytes are substances that, when dissolved in water, dissociate into ions and conduct electricity.
Sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+) are the only electrolytes essential for maintaining fluid balance in the human body.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Electrolytes are compounds that dissociate into ions when dissolved in a solvent like water. These ions are charged particles that carry electricity, allowing the solution to conduct electric current.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

Other electrolytes like Calcium (Ca²+), Magnesium (Mg²+), and Chloride (Cl−) also play crucial roles in fluid balance, not just Sodium and Potassium.