What is a battery & how does it work?

“A battery is a device that is able to store electrical energy in the form of chemical energy, and convert that energy into electricity,” says Antoine Allanore, a postdoctoral associate at MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

How does a battery produce electricity?

“The ions transport current through the electrolyte while the electrons flow in the external circuit, and that’s what generates an electric current.” If the battery is disposable, it will produce electricity until it runs out of reactants (same chemical potential on both electrodes).

How have batteries changed over time?

Historical Development: The evolution of batteries from ancient Parthian batteries to modern lead-acid batteries shows advancements in creating stable and rechargeable power sources. A battery works on the oxidation and reduction reaction of an electrolyte with metals.

How do rechargeable batteries work?

Rechargeable batteries (like the kind in your cellphone or in your car) are designed so that electrical energy from an outside source (the charger that you plug into the wall or the dynamo in your car) can be applied to the chemical system, and reverse its operation, restoring the battery’s charge.

What is the basic principle of battery?

To understand the basic principle of battery properly, first, we should have some basic concept of electrolytes and electrons affinity. Actually, when two dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte, there will be a potential difference produced between these metals.

What are the components of a battery?

There are three main components of a battery: two terminals made of different chemicals (typically metals), the anode and the cathode; and the electrolyte, which separates these terminals. The electrolyte is a chemical medium that allows the flow of electrical charge between the cathode and anode.