Interesting Facts about Battery

Battery is something which we use in our daily life more oftenly. The sizes of a battery may vary. Batteries may be as small as which may fit in toys called button batteries because their size is similar to the size of button and batteries may be as large as what may be used to generate electricity to supply light for home appliances when powered. A battery is something which can store electricity. Some batteries can be used again and again because they are rechargeable while other batteries are only used once and can be discarded.

What is Battery?

A battery is a device which is used to convert chemical energy into electric energy. It is an electrochemical device. A battery may be charged with chemical reactions or may be charged by electric current. We are aware of a term called ‘cell’ which we used in clocks, remotes of t.v, remotes of air conditioners, remote control toys, etc. So, the battery is basically made up of multiple cells joined together either in series position or in a parallel position.

Battery

Parts of Battery

Battery consists of mainly three parts which are discussed below: 

• Anode: Anode is the negatively charged part of the battery.

• Cathode: The cathode is the positively charged part of the battery. 

• Electrolyte: An electrolyte is a paste-like substance which is used to separate an anode from  a cathode and helps in the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy.

Parts of Battery

How a Battery Works

Battery is used to generate electricity. Electricity is produced by the movement of electrons through a conductive path. So the path followed by the electron is called a circuit. A battery consists of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. As an anode is negatively charged, it means it consists of extra electrons from the cathode. So, electrons from the anode flow towards the cathode as shown in the following picture. Due to the flow of electrons from one electrode to another electrode, an electric current is produced.

How a Battery Works

Types of Batteries

Batteries are basically of two types: primary battery and secondary battery.

• Primary batteries are those batteries which are used only once, which means that they cannot be charged again. In batteries, certain types of electrochemical reactions occur. So, the electrochemical reaction that occurs in primary batteries is irreversible in nature which means the product cannot be converted into a reactant. So, due to the irreversible nature of the electrochemical reaction, primary batteries cannot charge or be used again. Example: zinc-carbon battery, dry cell.

Primary Batteries

• Secondary batteries are those batteries which can be recharged again and again add reused. This is because of the reversible nature  of the electrochemical reaction which is occurring inside the battery. For example, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, etc. 

Secondary Battery

What is the Current out of a Battery?

Current is of two types: Direct current also called DC and alternating Current also called AC. The current which is generated through batteries is direct current. The difference between these two types of current is their direction of flow. Direct current will flow only in one direction while Alternating current will flow in two directions. In our daily life, the current which comes into our house from electricity mains is alternating current while the current which is generated through batteries is direct current.

Some Facts about Batteries

• A day in a year is celebrated especially for batteries called National Battery Day which is celebrated on  18 February.

• Power of batteries can be lost when the temperature is too high.

• Every battery has the same components irrespective of its size.

National Battery Day

Sample Questions

1. What is a cell?

Ans: A cell is a device which is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy to generate electricity.

2. Name some different types of batteries?

Ans: There are three main types of batteries called alkaline batteries, nickel metal hydride, and lithium-ion batteries.

Summary

Battery is something which can produce current. Batteries vary in size; they can be as small as a button and can be as large as a huge box like inverter batteries. Every battery consists of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. A battery is used to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.