Batteries How Batteries Work

Three Main Components of Batteries Negative terminal (anode): an electrode made of a metal such as zinc that accumulates negative charge ( gains electrons) Positive terminal (cathode): an electrode made of metal such as copper that accumulates positive charge (loses electrons) Electrolyte: a liquid solution or paste whose molecules spontaneously seperate into positively or negatively charged atoms or groups of atoms, called ions.

Common Dry Cell Battery

Keys to assembly of an electrolytic cell battery Two metal strips (electrodes) put into a container Container filled with an electrolyte (liquid solution that separates positive and negative ions) The electrodes (metal strips) cannot touch each other.

How does the battery work? Oxidation-reduction reaction takes place One electrode accumulates electrons (negative) and the other electrode loses electrons (positive) The process of separating and accumulating electrons produces the electricity of the battery