A cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions between electrodes and electrolytes. A primary cell uses a non-liquid electrolyte that dries out over time, while a secondary cell can be recharged by passing current in the opposite direction of discharge. A battery contains multiple cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination to produce higher voltages or currents. Batteries are rated by their ability to supply current over time and their state of charge is measured by the electrolyte's specific gravity. Secondary cells are recharged by applying a higher voltage that forces current through in the reverse direction until the voltage and specific gravity are restored.
A cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions between electrodes and electrolytes. A primary cell uses a non-liquid electrolyte that dries out over time, while a secondary cell can be recharged by passing current in the opposite direction of discharge. A battery contains multiple cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination to produce higher voltages or currents. Batteries are rated by their ability to supply current over time and their state of charge is measured by the electrolyte's specific gravity. Secondary cells are recharged by applying a higher voltage that forces current through in the reverse direction until the voltage and specific gravity are restored.
A cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions between electrodes and electrolytes. A primary cell uses a non-liquid electrolyte that dries out over time, while a secondary cell can be recharged by passing current in the opposite direction of discharge. A battery contains multiple cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination to produce higher voltages or currents. Batteries are rated by their ability to supply current over time and their state of charge is measured by the electrolyte's specific gravity. Secondary cells are recharged by applying a higher voltage that forces current through in the reverse direction until the voltage and specific gravity are restored.
A cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions between electrodes and electrolytes. A primary cell uses a non-liquid electrolyte that dries out over time, while a secondary cell can be recharged by passing current in the opposite direction of discharge. A battery contains multiple cells connected in series, parallel, or a combination to produce higher voltages or currents. Batteries are rated by their ability to supply current over time and their state of charge is measured by the electrolyte's specific gravity. Secondary cells are recharged by applying a higher voltage that forces current through in the reverse direction until the voltage and specific gravity are restored.
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3: BATTERIES
CELL: A cell is a device that transforms chemical action into electrical energy. A cell consists of two different conducting materials (electrodes) that are immersed in an electrolyte. The chemical action between the electrodes and the electrolyte results in a separation of electric charges as ions and free electrons. The two electrodes then acquire a difference of potential that provides a voltage output from the cell. The VOLTAIC CELL is the earliest cell (see diagram)
PRIMARY CELL: A primary or dry cell is one in which the electrolyte is not a liquid but a moist paste. When the paste becomes dry it can no longer convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The chemical action gradually eats away one of the electrodes (usually the cathode). When this happens, the cell has to be thrown away and replaced by a new one.
SECONDARY CELL: A secondary or storage cell is one in which the electrodes and electrolyte are altered by the chemical action that takes place when the cell delivers current. These cells may be restored to their original condition by forcing an electric current through them in a direction opposite to that of the discharge.
BATTERY: A battery consists of two or more cells placed in a common container. The cells are connected to each other either in series or parallel (or some other combinations), depending on the amount of voltage and current required to be delivered by the battery. For example a 12V car battery consists of 6 cells of 2V each connected in series.
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS:
SERIES CONNECTION:
Let n = number of cells connected in series, E = emf of one cell, r = internal resistance of one cell, R = the load resistance. Then, total emf of n cells = nE volts, total internal resistance of n cells = nr ohms, total nE resistance of the circuit = R + nr ohms. Hence, current in the circuit I = amps nr + R PARALLEL CONNECTION:
The emf of the combination is the same as the emf of one cell = E volts, the equivalent internal resistance of the battery = r/n ohms, the total resistance of the circuit = R +r/n ohms, Hence, current in E I= the circuit r amps R+ n
SERIES/PARALLEL CONNECTION:
If n cells are connected in series and m such series circuits are connected in parallel, then, the internal resistance of each series circuit = nr ohms, the total internal resistance of parallel circuit = nr/m ohms, Therefore, total circuit resistance = (R + nr/m) ohms, The emf across the circuit = emf of the series nE I= circuit = nE volts, Hence, current in the circuit, nr amps R+ m
BATTERY RATINGS: Batteries are rated in terms of the amount of discharge current they can supply for a specified period of time. A common rating is the AMPERE-HOURS (AH). For example, a 200AH battery can supply a load current of 20A based on an 10hr discharge.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: The state of discharge for a secondary cell is generally checked by measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Specific Gravity is a ratio comparing the weight of a substance with water. (For water, SG = 1 and this is reference). In a fully charged car battery, the mixture of water and sulphuric acid results in a specific gravity of 1.280 at room temperature. As the cell discharges, more water is formed, lowering the specific gravity. When the SG falls below 1.145, the battery is considered completely discharged. SG readings are taken using an instrument called a HYDROMETER.
BATTERY CHARGING:
A dc source of magnitude about 3V higher than battery emf is connected in series with a rheostat R, ammeter and the battery to be charged. The battery and the charging source is connected +ve to +ve and –ve to –ve, as shown, so as to obtain a reversal of current. As the charging proceeds, the terminal voltage of the battery rises but the charging current is kept constant by adjusting the value of R. The terminal voltage of the battery and the specific gravity of the electrolyte are checked at regular intervals. When the terminal voltage of the battery ceases to rise and the specific gravity reaches the value of 1.28, the battery is fully charged. When the battery is being charged, its emf acts in opposition to the V G−V B applied voltage. The charging current is given by I= whereV G =applied voltage , r+R V B=battery voltage r =internalresistance of thebattery ,R = resistance of the rheostat.
