What happens during the discharge of a lead storage battery?

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During the discharge of a lead storage battery, the following reactions take place:

At anode: $Pb (s) + SO_{4}^{2 -} (a q) \to PbSO_{4} (s) + 2 e^{-}$

At cathode: $PbO_{2} (s) + SO_{4}^{2 -} (a q) + 4 H^{+} (a q) + 2 e^{-} \to PbSO_{4} (s) + 2 H_{2} O (l)$

Overall reaction: $Pb (s) + PbO_{2} (s) + 2 H_{2} SO_{4} (a q) \to 2 PbSO_{4} (s) + 2 H_{2} O (l)$

From the overall cell reaction, it is clear that sulphuric acid ( $H_{2} SO_{4}$ ) is consumed during the discharge process.

Answer: $H_{2} SO_{4}$ is consumed

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