5 Questions
What is the cathode of a battery when it is supplying power?
The positive terminal
What delivers the free-energy difference to the external circuit as electrical energy in a battery connected to an external electric load?
Redox reaction
What happens to the electrode materials in primary (single-use or 'disposable') batteries during discharge?
They are irreversibly changed
Which type of battery can be discharged and recharged multiple times?
Secondary (rechargeable) batteries
What did the term 'battery' historically specifically refer to?
A device composed of multiple cells
Study Notes
Battery Fundamentals
- The anode is the cathode of a battery when it is supplying power.
Energy Conversion
- The chemical energy in the battery delivers the free-energy difference to the external circuit as electrical energy in a battery connected to an external electric load.
Primary Batteries
- During discharge, the electrode materials in primary (single-use or 'disposable') batteries undergo irreversible chemical changes that make them unusable after a single use.
Rechargeable Batteries
- A secondary battery (or rechargeable battery) can be discharged and recharged multiple times.
History of Batteries
- Historically, the term 'battery' specifically referred to a group of electrochemical cells connected together to form a single unit.
Test your knowledge about the fundamentals of batteries and their function as a source of electric power for various devices. Learn about the roles of the cathode, anode, and the flow of electrons in a battery.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
