Basics of Electrical Cells

Basics of Electrical Cells

• An electrical cell, also known as a voltaic cell, is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
• It consists of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) immersed in an electrolyte, which facilitates the flow of ions between the electrodes.

Types of Electrical Cells

• Primary Cells: Non-rechargeable cells that cannot be reused once the chemical energy is depleted. Examples include:
  • Alkaline cells (e.g., AAA, AA batteries)
  • Zinc-carbon cells
• Secondary Cells: Rechargeable cells that can be reused multiple times. Examples include:
  • Lead-acid batteries (e.g., car batteries)
  • Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries
  • Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries
  • Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries

Components of an Electrical Cell

• Anode: The negative electrode where oxidation occurs, releasing electrons.
• Cathode: The positive electrode where reduction occurs, absorbing electrons.
• Electrolyte: A chemical substance that facilitates the flow of ions between the electrodes.
• Separator: A thin layer that separates the anode and cathode, preventing them from coming into contact.

How Electrical Cells Work

• Chemical Reaction: The oxidation reaction at the anode releases electrons, which flow through an external circuit to the cathode.
• Electron Flow: The electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, creating an electric current.
• Ion Flow: The ions flow through the electrolyte to balance the charge, allowing the chemical reaction to continue.

Applications of Electrical Cells

• Powering Devices: Electrical cells are used to power a wide range of devices, from small appliances to electric vehicles.
• Energy Storage: Electrical cells are used to store energy for later use, such as in backup power systems or renewable energy systems.

Basics of Electrical Cells

• An electrical cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy using two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) immersed in an electrolyte.

Types of Electrical Cells

• Primary Cells are non-rechargeable, cannot be reused once chemical energy is depleted, and include alkaline cells (e.g., AAA, AA batteries) and zinc-carbon cells.
• Secondary Cells are rechargeable, can be reused multiple times, and include lead-acid batteries (e.g., car batteries), nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.

Components of an Electrical Cell

• Anode is the negative electrode where oxidation occurs, releasing electrons.
• Cathode is the positive electrode where reduction occurs, absorbing electrons.
• Electrolyte is a chemical substance that facilitates the flow of ions between the electrodes.
• Separator is a thin layer that separates anode and cathode, preventing them from coming into contact.

How Electrical Cells Work

• Chemical Reaction occurs at the anode, releasing electrons that flow through an external circuit to the cathode.
• Electron Flow occurs from the anode to the cathode, creating an electric current.
• Ion Flow occurs through the electrolyte to balance the charge, allowing the chemical reaction to continue.

Applications of Electrical Cells

• Powering Devices: Electrical cells power a wide range of devices, from small appliances to electric vehicles.
• Energy Storage: Electrical cells store energy for later use, such as in backup power systems or renewable energy systems.

Learn about the basics of electrical cells, including primary cells and their characteristics.