Cell and Battery

The Cell is a device which converts chemical energy in to electrical energy. The cell is a form of stored or potential energy. Due to the property of storing the cells are used as source of electrical energy in remote areas and as backup source of electricity in developed places. A cell consists of
a. Positive Electrode or Cathode b. Negative Electrode and c. Electrolyte ( Chemical Solution)

Working of Cell
A Cell requires two metallic rods of different materials to make Positive Electrode (Cathode) and Negative Electrode (Anode) and chemical solution as electrolyte. When we place any metallic rod in a chemical solution (electrolyte); some chemical reaction takes place between the dipped rod and chemical solution. Due to this chemical reaction some of the rod atoms go into chemical solution as ions while the remaining electrons create a negative charge on the rod. Similar chemical reaction also takes place with another rod. As both rods are of different metal, the tendency to lose ions is different in different metals. Thus the metallic rod which has greater tendency to lose ions becomes more negative than other metallic rod. This rod is called Negative Electrode or Anode. Another rod, which has lesser tendency to lose ions, is presumed as Positive Electrode or Cathode. Due to the difference in charge between two electrodes a potential difference develops between them. When a wire connects the Positive and Negative Electrode (Cathode and Anode) Electrons collect on the negative terminal starts flow from Negative Electrode to Positive electrode as fast as they can. The flow of electron is flow of electric current.

Categories and types of Cells On the basis of used electrolyte the cells are also classified into two categories Wet Cells and Dry Cells 6

Cell and Battery

Wet cell A wet cell battery has a liquid electrolyte. This is also called as flooded cell since the liquid covers all internal parts, or vented cell since gases produced during operation can escape to the air. Wet cells are a precursor to dry cells and are commonly used as a learning tool for electrochemistry. The Wet cells may be primary cells (non-rechargeable) or secondary cells (rechargeable). Originally all practical primary batteries such as the Daniell cell were built as open-topped glass jar wet cells. Other primary wet cells are the Leclanche cell, Grove cell, Bunsen cell, Chromic acid cell, Clark cell and Weston cell. The Leclanche cell chemistry was adapted to the first dry cells. The Wet cells are still used in automobile batteries and in industry for standby power for switchgear, telecommunication or large uninterruptible power supplies. Dry cell A dry cell has the electrolyte immobilized as a paste, with only enough moisture in the paste to allow current to flow. The dry cell can be used in any position and will not spill its electrolyte if inverted. The structure of Zinc- Carbon dry cell is shown in picture. In this a cylindrical pot of Zinc works as anode (Negative Electrode) and Carbon rod placed in center works as cathode (Positive Electrode) and paste of ammonium chloride and manganese dioxide used as electrolyte. On the basis of recharging the cell are classified into two broad categories, each type with advantages and disadvantages. Primary Cells and Secondary Cells Primary Cells The Primary Cells can produce current immediately on assembly. These batteries are intended to be used once and discarded. The Primary cells provides electrical energy by irreversible chemical reactions. The Primary Cells cant be recharged since the chemical reactions are not easily reversible and active materials may not return to their original 6

Cell and Battery

forms, efforts of recharging of Primary cell can be dangerous. Common Dry cells (zinc-carbon batteries and alkaline cells) that are used in flashlights and transistor radios (e.g., AA cells, C cells) are good examples of primary cells. Generally, these have higher energy densities than rechargeable batteries. Secondary Cells The Secondary cells are also called rechargeable cells. The Secondary cells must be charged before use; they are usually assembled with active materials in the discharged state. The Rechargeable cells or secondary cells can be used again and again by recharging. The Secondary cells can be recharged by applying electrical current, which reverses the chemical reactions that occur during its use. The Devices which is to recharge the Secondary cells are called chargers or rechargers. The oldest form of rechargeable battery is the lead-acid battery. A common form of the lead-acid battery is the modern car battery. Battery The combination of two or more cells is called battery. Two or more cells can combined in two basic combinations Series Combination Parallel Combination Using these two combinations we can make combine cells in mixed combination. Series Combination When the two or more cells are connected in such a way that Positive terminal of one cell gets connected with Negative terminal of another cell and so on. The outer most terminals of cells considers as Positive and Negative terminals of battery, as shown in figure. Properties of Series Combination of cells In this combination the voltage of combined cells increases as the number of combined cells increases. When two cells are combined the total voltage becomes equal to 6

Cell and Battery

Total Voltage = Voltage of cell 1 + voltage of cell 2 VT = V1 + V2 The cells are combined in series connection to increase the output voltage. Whenever a device of higher voltage is required to operate by cells the series combination is only possible method of combination. In Series combination of cells the current remains equal to the current rating of single cell. So Total Current = Current of cell 1= Current of Cell 2 IT = I1 = I2 The internal resistance increases in the series combination of cells. RT= r1 + r2

Parallel Combination of cells When the two or more cells are connected in such a way that Positive terminal of one cell gets connected with Positive terminal of another cell and Negative terminal with Negative terminal. The outer most terminals of each cell remains connected with Positive and Negative terminals of battery, as shown in figure. Properties of Parallel Combination of cells In this type of cells combination the total voltage of combined cells remains equal to the voltage of one cell. i.e. Total Voltage = Voltage of Cell 1 = Voltage of cell 2 VT = V1 = V2 In this type of combination of cells the Total Current increases and becomes equal to sum of current capacity of all connected cells. So the Total Current = Current capacity of Cell 1 + Current Capacity of Cell 2

Cell and Battery

IT = i1 + i2 The cells are combined in Parallel connection to increase the current capacity of supply without changing the Voltage. The cells are combined in Parallel combination to provide current supply for longer period. In this type of combination of cells the internal resistance of cells decreases. 1/RT= 1/r1 + 1/r2 When we combined the cells using both basic types of combination of cells, the combination is called Mixed Combination. The Mixed combination of cells developed to exploit the benefits of both basic types of combinations. Symbolic Representation of Cell In Electrical Circuit the cell is represented by a symbol as shown in figure. The symbolic diagram show the Positive and negative terminals of cell. The representation of two or more cells represents the battery.

Cell and Battery

TEST-2 Q1. What is the difference between Primary Cell and Secondary Cell? Q2. What are the differences between Wet Cell and Dry Cell? Q3. What is Electrolyte? Q4. Write an example of Wet Secondary Cell commonly used in our home; Draw physical diagram and label. Q5. Draw and Write an example of Dry Secondary Cell, Draw physical diagram and label. Q6. Draw and Write an example of Dry Primary Cell, Draw physical diagram and label. Q7. You have a torch bulb working on 4.5 Volt supply. How many Cells of 1.5 Volt will be required to glow the bulb. Q8. You will combine the cells in which type of combination and why? Q9. Which type of cells/ battery is being used in Automobiles? Wet Cell/ battery or Dry Cell/ battery. Q10. The used cells in automobiles are Primary or Secondary. Q11. If Secondary battery is being used in automobile than explain the method of its recharging. Q12. Make an Observation Report of a Car/ Truck Battery. Q13. Make a list of appliances available at your home works on Primary cells. Q14. Make a list of appliances available at your home works on Secondary cells. Q15. Identify the type of combination on the basis of symbolic diagram Sl.No . 1. 2. 3. 6 Symbolic Diagram Represents

Cell and Battery

4. 5. Q16. Mention the properties of combination of cells Sl.No. 1. 2. Cell Combination Properties

3.