How Do Batteries Work? : How Do Batteries Work? Eddy Giang
Scott Segawa What is a Battery? : What is a Battery? Battery: In science and technology, a battery refers to a apparatus that stores chemical energy and produces it in an electric form. They consist of an anode, cathode, and electrolyte.
There are two different classification of batteries, primary and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are batteries that irreversibly transform chemicals into electricity, while secondary batteries can reverse this process, restoring their original state.
The worldwide industry for battery generated about $48 billion in 2005 Alkaline Battery : Alkaline Battery Chemical reaction:
Alkaline batteries use zinc and magnesium dioxide. The reaction is electrochemical, since it’s a battery. Alkaline Continued : Alkaline Continued The reaction of either won’t work without connecting, so they have a longer shelf life than carbon-zinc ones.
Alkaline have higher energy density than the carbon-zinc batteries. They have lower density and shelf life than silver oxide batteries.
Recycling these batteries are the best since they have some chemicals that are harmful to the environment and us Daniell Cell : Daniell Cell Daniell cells consist of the zinc anode in a porous pot filled with zinc sulfate, which is inside a solution of copper sulfate, with a copper cathode in it. The porous pots prevents the copper ions from the copper sulfate from reaching the zinc anode, making it react without a current. Daniell Cell Continued : Daniell Cell Continued Chemical Reaction:
Anode-Zn(s) → Zn2+(aq) + 2e-
Cathode-Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)
The anions collect at the anode, the zinc, and the cations at the cathode, copper
The reaction can’t occur without both reactions, so they must be connected some how, usually through salt bridges or porous pots.
They allow the separation of the solution, but still allows the ions to flow freely Rechargeable Batteries : They function just like regular batteries, except when you charge them, you’re just reversing the reaction by inputting electrons into the positive anode. Rechargeable Batteries Rechargeable Batteries Continued : Rechargeable Batteries Continued Come in different chemical varieties, such as alkaline, lithium, and zinc.
Note of Caution: Do not charge non-rechargeable batteries. They may explode due to the build up of hydrogen ions from the reversed electrochemical reaction, and build up of pressure in the said battery. Taking Care of Batteries : Taking Care of Batteries Read instructions on the device before installed the batteries. Make sure batteries are inserted properly.
Keep battery contact surface clean by rubbing it with pencil eraser or a cloth.
Install only correct sized batteries suggested by the manufacturer.
Remove batteries from appliances that won’t be used for an extended period of time, or are being powered by a household current.
Store Batteries in a cool, dry place.
Do not dispose of in fire.
Don’t mix new and old batteries, which can lead to rupture or leakage. Lithium Battery : Lithium Battery Lithium battery is actually a term for a wide range of batteries with various cathodes and electrolytes.
There are many types, but the most common is lithium magnesium dioxide, where the magnesium dioxide is the cathode, and the lithium is the anode. The electrolytes are lithium perchlorate in propylene carbonate, and dimethoxymethane
About 80% of all lithium batteries sold are lithium magnesium dioxide .
In rechargeable lithium batteries, the cathode is metal oxide, anode is carbon, and electrolyte is a lithium salt. These are used mostly in laptops, cell phones, and portable rechargeable devices. Proper Disposal : Proper Disposal Batteries contain many harmful chemicals to the environment, like mercury and lead, so should be disposed of properly.
Batteries pollute streams when they are burned, and the metals are vaporized in the air.
Heavy metals may slowly leach into the soil in landfills, reaching groundwater or surface water.
Even if you recycle, some stores that take back used batteries claim that it still ends in the trash, so prevention would be the best bet.
Prevention can start with not buying excess batteries, buying appliances that function without batteries, looking for batteries with lower hazardous metals, and consider rechargeable batteries. Conclusion : Conclusion Batteries are used almost everyday in our lives; cars, music devices, remote controls, hearing aids, calculators, and much more contain batteries. There are some batteries that use quite a bit of substances that are harmful to both us and the environment. To prevent this, we need to find ways to reduce waste, like rechargeable batteries and recycling. Our experiment included a lot of materials and was odd to set up. Since we only generated miniscule amount of electricity, it makes us think very highly of those who invent and create such high powered electric generators! Since technology is advancing at such a fast rate, and the demand for batteries are high. Research is definitely going to help advance the energetic capacity and lower waste production. Batteries are definitely in our future, and will be able to help with out “energy crisis”.