Batteries are everywhere. The modern world is dependent on these mobile sources of energy, which are found in everything from game consoles to computer mice to flameless candles.
But ever wonder how they work? Could you explain it to someone else? Despite their prevalence in people’s daily lives, they often go overlooked.
Here’s how it works, generally speaking…
Most batteries contain three basic parts: electrodes, an electrolyte, and a separator. There are two electrodes in every battery. Both are made of conductive materials, but they serve different roles. One electrode, known as the cathode, connects to the positive end of the battery. The other electrode, known as the anode, connects to the negative end of the battery. Between these electrodes is the electrolyte, a liquid or gel-like substance that contains electrically charged particles, or ions, producing chemical reactions that generate an electric current.
To envision how a battery works, picture yourself putting alkaline batteries, like double AAs, into a flashlight. When you put those batteries into the flashlight and then turn it on, what you’re really doing is completing a circuit. The stored chemical energy in the battery converts to electrical energy, which travels out of the battery and into the base of the flashlight’s bulb, causing it to light up. This is our specialty, and although a bit technical, we hope you enjoyed this!
