Which toxic substance isn't found in lithium-ion batteries?

Which toxic substance isn't found in lithium-ion batteries?

• A. Lead
• B. Cadmium
• C. Arsenic
• D. Mercury

Answer: (D)

The key idea is knowing which toxic metals show up in different battery chemistries and which aren’t part of lithium‑ion cells. Lithium‑ion batteries rely on lithium plus transition metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese (and sometimes aluminum for current collectors). They don’t use the heavy metals typical of other battery types. Lead is the toxin associated with lead‑acid batteries, cadmium is linked to nickel–cadmium cells, and arsenic isn’t a standard component of lithium‑ion chemistry. Mercury isn’t used in standard lithium‑ion cells, so the substance that isn’t found in these batteries is mercury.

The key idea is knowing which toxic metals show up in different battery chemistries and which aren’t part of lithium‑ion cells. Lithium‑ion batteries rely on lithium plus transition metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese (and sometimes aluminum for current collectors). They don’t use the heavy metals typical of other battery types. Lead is the toxin associated with lead‑acid batteries, cadmium is linked to nickel–cadmium cells, and arsenic isn’t a standard component of lithium‑ion chemistry. Mercury isn’t used in standard lithium‑ion cells, so the substance that isn’t found in these batteries is mercury.