Battery Definition

Introduction

The physicist Alessandro Volta discovered first the operable battery by following the studies and experiments done by Luigi Galvani, in 1790. In his study, he focused on the several chemical reactions done by electrochemical cells. By 1800 Alessandro Volta discovered the storage of power or battery. And it consists of alternate layers of Zinc and Silver dipped that are dipped in the brine solution.

It was also named volcanic pile and then later Micheal Faraday provided laws of electrochemistry based on this discovery. With the help of these laws, various cells for commercial use have been developed. Later John Frederic Daniell 1836 discovered Daniel cells that are having more efficiency compared to voltaic devices.

What is a Battery?

A battery is a device that contains two or more electrochemical cells in which it converts the chemical energy stored in the active materials to electrical energy. So it is a powerhouse of electricity. The cell is also a device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy but it contains only one electrochemical unit. While Batteries are a combination of electrochemical cells which may be connected in parallel or series. The battery has been an important substance as it can store electricity. Several electronic devices work with the help of batteries. They are clocks, laptops, watches, remotes, cell phones, toys, etc.

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Functioning of a Battery

A battery contains an electrochemical unit that contains an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. The oxidation and reduction reaction taking place at the electrolyte and electrode is responsible for electricity generation. The negatively charged anode electrode undergoes oxidation which is the loss of an electron. And the positively charged cathode electrode undergoes reduction which is the gain of an electron.

That is the redox reaction taking place in the electrochemical cell is responsible for the electricity generation. The soaking of different metals in the same electrolyte solution involves the loss of electrons by one metal and the gain of electrons by other metals. Thus a difference in electron concentration is developed and a potential difference is developed. This potential difference is the source of voltage or current. This is how a battery works. And the capacity of a battery depends on the amount of electrode and electrolyte material in the electrochemical unit. Low temperature is always favoured for increasing the efficiency of the battery as it lowers the number of side reactions.

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What are the Different Types of Battery?

There are mainly two types of batteries. They are primary and secondary batteries.

• Primary battery − Disposable and non-rechargeable batteries are called primary batteries. They are non-rechargeable since the electrochemical reactions taking place in this battery are not reversible. The chemical compounds present in the electrochemical cells of these batteries are completely utilized. And so no electricity is generated further. This type of battery is used when a long period of storage is necessary. And they are lightweight and cheap. The main she of this type of battery is for commercial purposes. It is commonly used in devices such as clocks, torches, watches, remotes, smoke detectors, etc.

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• Secondary battery − The reversible batteries and rechargeable are secondary batteries. They are rechargeable since the electrochemical reactions taking place in these batteries are reversible. The supply of external sources of electricity will help in the recharge process by performing chemical reactions. The passage of current takes place in the opposite direction of the discharge process. And the energy densities of this type of battery are very low as they are rechargeable. It is also efficient when the temperature is low. This type of battery is commonly found in electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, car batteries, etc.

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Type of cells in the battery

There are different types of electrochemical cells in batteries. Some of them are discussed below,

• Wet cells − In this electrochemical cell the electrolyte is present in the solution form or liquid form. And an insulator material shall be used for the separation of electrodes. Some of the wet cells are Daniel cells, Grove cells, lead-acid cells, etc.

• Dry cell − The cells which contain electrolyte in the form of a paste and not in a liquid or solution state is dry cells. So this is an important cell for electronic devices that always involves some kind of movement since the loss of particles by spilling is not present. It is common in portable electronic devices. An example of such a cell is the Leclanche cell.

Important Examples of Batteries

As there are two types of batteries, the examples of these batteries can be given as,

Primary battery

• Silver/Zinc ($\mathrm{Zn/Ag_{2}O}$) is used in hearing aids.

• Zinc – Carbon used in toys.

• Lithium/Solid Electrolyte is used in electronic equipment in the medical field.

• Magnesium $\mathrm{(Mg/MnO_{2})}$ is used commonly in military and aircraft radios.

Secondary battery

• Lead − Lead Dioxide is commonly used in electronic devices such as mobile phones.

• Nickel − Cadmium Batteries with a high discharge rate compared to others.

• Nickel − Metal Hydride Batteries are commonly used in portable electronic devices.

• Nickel − Hydrogen Electrode Batteries are used in the satellites.

Some Common Terms Related to the Batteries

Some terms associated with batteries are discussed below.

• Accumulator − A rechargeable battery is an accumulator.

• Active Material − Chemically active materials that are present in the electrochemical cell of the battery that can convert the chemical reactions to electrical energy is the active material.

• Acid battery − A type of battery where the electrolyte is acid is the acid battery. The lead-acid battery is an example.

• Alkaline storage battery − It is also a type of battery in which the electrolyte used in the electrochemical cell is an alkaline solution.

• AB5 − A metal alloy that is capable of undergoing reversible hydrogen desorption and adsorption reaction.

• Actual Capacity or Available Capacity − The cumulative capacity of batteries expressed in an amper hour is actual capacity.

• Alternator − For the production of electric current in automobiles a type of generator called an alternator is used.

• CCA − (Cold Cranking Amps) − A battery can start engines at a cold temperature. The starting power of a battery increases with the increase of the CCA rating.

Conclusion

Batteries are an important source of electricity that helps in the proper functioning of many electronic devices. The conversion of chemical energy in the cells to electrical energy is the basic functioning of batteries. There are electrochemical cells in the batteries that are responsible for the release of electricity. The electrodes and electrolyte reactions lead to electricity generation. Depending on the functioning that is whether it's rechargeable or not batteries are of two types. They are primary and secondary batteries. Two types are important for different functions. Secondary batteries are commonly found in electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, headphones, etc. While primary batteries are commonly found in remotes, watches, clocks, toys, etc. The cells in batteries are also two types they are dry and wet cells.

FAQs

Q1. What is battery power?

Ans. The quantity of electrical energy stored in the battery is the battery power. It is a term mainly associated with secondary batteries. To deal with the usage time of electronic devices.

Q2. Are batteries AC or DC?

Ans. Batteries are DC or direct currents in which the flow of electricity is only in one direction. All the electronic equipment works with the DC.

Q3. What is the longest life battery?

Ans. The longest life battery is Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries.

Q4. What battery is best for cold weather?

Ans. Lithium batteries have much more performance in cold weather climates than lead-acid batteries. And is because these batteries will become weaker at low temperatures.

Q5. What makes the battery hazardous?

Ans. The chemicals present in the batteries are hazardous when it comes in contact with the environment since they release toxic components by the reaction with the air and water present in the environment. Taking this into consideration rechargeable batteries are less toxic to the environment in comparison to non-rechargeable batteries. Only onetime use is there for the primary batteries.