What is the function of electrolyte?

[Travis]

Electrolyte serves two main functions in a battery: facilitating electrochemical reactions and enabling electrical conductivity. Below are the relevant details: Electrochemical reaction function: In lead-acid batteries, the electrolyte enables electrochemical reactions. When the battery discharges, the electrode plates absorb sulfuric acid from the electrolyte and release electrical energy. Without electrolyte, the battery cannot discharge electrical energy. During charging, the electrode plates release the sulfuric acid absorbed during discharge, restoring them to their initial state. Conductive function: The electrolyte in lead-acid batteries provides electrical conductivity. The positive and negative electrode plates of the battery are insulated from each other, and without electrolyte, a current circuit cannot be formed. The electrolyte is prepared by adding sulfuric acid to non-conductive pure distilled water, which then becomes a conductive medium. Only with this medium can an external load be connected between the battery's positive and negative plates to form a complete current circuit. Current can then flow freely within the battery, enabling electrochemical reactions to occur at the electrode plates for charging or discharging.