8/15/22, 12:49 PM Battery - Energy Education

Battery

Figure 1. A 9-volt
battery.[1]

A battery is a device that stores energy and then discharges it by converting chemical energy
into electricity
electricity.. Typical batteries most often produce electricity by chemical means through the
cells.[2] Many different materials can and have been used in
use of one or more electrochemical cells.
batteries, but the common battery types are alkaline, lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, and nickel-
metal hydride. Batteries can be connected to each other in a series circuit or a parallel circuit.

There is a wide variety of batteries that are available for purchase, and these different types of
batteries are used in different devices. Large batteries are used to start cars, while much smaller
batteries can power hearing aids. Overall, batteries are extremely important in everyday life.

Cells

A cell is a single unit that produces electricity through some method. Generally speaking, cells
generate power through a thermal, chemical or optical process.

A typical cell has two terminals (referred to as electrodes) immersed in a chemical (referred to as
the electrolyte). The two electrodes are separated by a porous wall or bridge which allows electric
charge to pass from one side to the other through the electrolyte. The anode—the negative
terminal—gains electrons while the cathode—the positive terminal—loses electrons. This
exchange of electrons allows a difference in potential or voltage difference to be developed
between the two terminals—allowing electricity to flow.[2]

There can be a vast number of cells in a battery, from a single cell in an AA battery, to more than
7,100 cells in the 85 kWh Tesla Model S battery.[3]

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8/15/22, 12:49 PM Battery - Energy Education

Figure 2. A cutaway diagram, showing the anatomy of an

alkaline battery.[4]

Primary cells ("dry")

In these cells a chemical action between the electrodes and electrolyte causes a permanent
change, meaning they are not rechargeable.[2] These batteries are single use, which results in
more waste from the use of these batteries since they are disposed of after a relatively short
period of time.

Secondary cells ("wet")

This type of cell (referred to as wet due to using a liquid electrolyte) generates a current through
a secondary cell in the opposite direction of the first/normal cell. This causes the chemical action
to go in reverse, effectively being restored, meaning that they are rechargeable.[2] These
batteries can be more expensive to purchase but generate less waste as they can be used several
times.

Battery Capacity

Batteries are often rated in terms of their output voltage and capacity. The capacity is how long a
particular battery will last in Ah (Ampere hours)[2]:

A battery with a capacity of 1 Ah will last for one hour operating at 1 A.

Batteries can also be rated by their energy capacity. This is either done in watt-hours or kilowatt-
hours.

A battery with a capacity of 1 kWh will last for one hour while outputting 1 kW of
electricity.

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8/15/22, 12:49 PM Battery - Energy Education

Phet Simulation

The University of Colorado (http://phet.colorado.edu/) has graciously allowed us to use the

following Phet simulation. This simulation explores how batteries work in an electric circuit:

For Further Reading

For further information please see the related pages below:

Series circuit

Parallel circuit

Direct current

Dispatchable source of electricity

Electrical grid

Electric generator

Or explore a random page!

References

1. Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duracell_9_Volt_0849.jpg#/media/File:Duracell_9_V
olt_0849.jpg

2. R.T. Paynter, “Basic Electric Components and Meters,” in Introduction to Electricity, 1rst ed.
NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2011, ch. 3, sec. 3.4, pp. 89-94.

3. Technology Metals Research. (Accessed July 28, 2015). Going Natural: The Solution To Tesla’s
Graphite Problem [Online], Available: http://www.techmetalsresearch.com/2014/03/going-
natural-the-solution-to-teslas-graphite-problem/

4. Hyperphysics. (Accessed July 28, 2015). Carbon-zinc batteries [Online], Available:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/battery.html

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