What is the basic working principle of a battery?
4 Answers
Battery, also known as storage battery, is a type of cell that works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Additional information: 1. Generally, what people refer to as a battery is a lead-acid battery. That is, a battery mainly made of lead and its oxides, with sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte, using lead plates filled with spongy lead as the negative electrode and lead plates filled with lead dioxide as the positive electrode, and using 22-28% dilute sulfuric acid as the electrolyte. During charging, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy, and during discharging, chemical energy is converted back into electrical energy. When the battery discharges, metallic lead is the negative electrode, undergoing oxidation reaction and being oxidized to lead sulfate; lead dioxide is the positive electrode, undergoing reduction reaction and being reduced to lead sulfate. 2. When the battery is charged with direct current, lead and lead dioxide are generated at the two electrodes respectively. After removing the power source, it returns to the state before discharge, forming a chemical cell. Lead-acid batteries are rechargeable and dischargeable batteries, called secondary batteries, with a voltage of 2V. Usually, three lead-acid batteries are connected in series for use, with a voltage of 6V. In automobiles, six lead-acid batteries are connected in series to form a 12V battery pack. Ordinary lead-acid batteries need to be supplemented with sulfuric acid after a period of use to keep the electrolyte containing 22-28% dilute sulfuric acid.
After driving for so long, I feel like the battery is the heart of the car, supplying power to the entire vehicle at all times. Inside it, there are several lead plates and lead dioxide plates immersed in a sulfuric acid electrolyte. When you start the engine, these materials undergo a chemical reaction, generating electric current that powers the ignition system and headlights. During charging, the engine turns the alternator, sending energy back to the battery for storage. In winter, when temperatures drop, the battery reaction slows down, making it harder to start the car, so I always remind myself to avoid frequent short trips and starts to protect the battery's lifespan. While driving, it’s important to keep an eye on the dashboard warning lights—if they come on, the battery condition should be checked immediately. The principle is simple but amazing, allowing the car to start anytime, anywhere.
As someone who frequently tinkers with cars, I have to say the principle of a car battery is quite straightforward. Inside, it has two electrodes paired with acid electrolyte. During discharge, the lead electrodes decompose to generate electricity, and they revert back during charging for cyclic use. The biggest concerns are low electrolyte levels or battery aging, which can cause voltage instability and leave your car stranded. I've experienced several breakdowns due to dead batteries, so I recommend car owners use a multimeter every few months to check if the voltage stays around the normal 12-volt range. Avoid blasting the stereo too loud or too long to prevent excessive power drain. In short, keeping the terminals clean and minimizing corrosion can extend its lifespan by three to five years.
Let me briefly explain how a car battery works. It relies on a chemical reaction between lead and sulfuric acid to charge and discharge. During discharge, lead turns into lead sulfate, releasing electrical energy to start the car. During charging, the lead sulfate reverts, regenerating the acid. The whole process acts like an energy converter, storing the engine's power as electricity for later use. Therefore, if the car is left unused for a long time, the battery will self-discharge and fail. Remember to start the engine regularly or connect a charger for maintenance.
