Info about batteries

How do batteries power our lives?

Batteries power our lives by transforming energy from one type to another. Whether a traditional disposable battery (e.g., AA) or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (used in cell phones, laptops, and cars), a battery stores chemical energy and releases electrical energy.

What is a battery chemistry?

It’s not exactly magic … but it’s close. Think of a battery as a small power plant that converts a chemical reaction into electrical energy. Various dry cell (or alkaline) batteries can differ in several ways, but they all have the same basic components. For even more details, visit our What’s Inside a Battery page or our Battery Chemistry page.

What is an electric battery?

An electric battery is a source of electric power consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections [ 1 ] for powering electrical devices. When a battery is supplying power, its positive terminal is the cathode and its negative terminal is the anode. [ 2 ]

What is a battery in electricity & electrochemistry?

battery, in electricity and electrochemistry, any of a class of devices that convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Although the term battery, in strict usage, designates an assembly of two or more galvanic cells capable of such energy conversion, it is commonly applied to a single cell of this kind.

Why is the size of a battery important?

But batteries are like boxes: just as bigger boxes can hold more stuff, so the size of a battery is actually a measurement of how much electrical energy it can store. Why? Bigger batteries contain more chemical electrolyte and bigger electrodes so they can release more energy (or the same energy over a longer period).

What are the characteristics of a battery?

Many important cell properties, such as voltage, energy density, flammability, available cell constructions, operating temperature range and shelf life, are dictated by battery chemistry. [ 46 ] Inexpensive. Also known as "heavy-duty", inexpensive. Moderate energy density. Good for high- and low-drain uses. Moderate energy density.