Paper , Order, or Assignment Requirements

Based on this reading and any other information that you find helpful (a few additional references are mentioned at the end of the page) discuss the following issues:

1. Use what you’ve learned about chemical reactions and thermodynamics to explain the thermochemistry behind the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices that have been in news reports recently.

Some added information:
1 kg of Li-ion batteries stores about 500 kJ of energy that can be released as electricity, but if the battery materials instead catch fire in a combustion reaction the energy released can be as high as 2000 kJ.

Li (s) –> Li+ (s) + e- (electricity producing reaction)
Li (s) + C3H4O3 (l) —> Li2CO3 (s) + C2H4 (g) (exothermic chemical reaction that produces a flammable hydrocarbon gas)
C3H4O3 is ethylene carbonate, a main organic solvent component in Li-ion batteries

2. Manufacturers of Li-ion batteries build in many safeguards to protect against exposure of highly reactive Li metal. Identify two safety features that you expect to find on a Li-ion battery in your cell phone.

3. Given the risks in the manufacture and sale of Li-ion batteries, comment on the tradeoffs between profit and social responsibility that a manufacturer has to consider in bringing a new battery system to the market. As a consumer, what types of regulation to you expect there should be to ensure the safety of consumer products sold with Li-ion batteries? (For example, should a company be held responsible for injuries and other damage caused by a Li-ion battery fire, and if so, what should be the penalties?)