4.

6 CELLS AND BATTERIES

A single battery on its own is often called a cell. The most common cells are the kind we use in
torches, radios and cassette or CD players. They are called Leclanch cells after the Frenchman
who invented them. There are many different brands and sizes but they are all the same inside.

What are cells made of? The diagram shows a Leclanch cell positive terminal
that has been cut in half from top to bottom. It has three important
parts. There is a positive terminal (which is marked with the plus plastic seal
sign, +), a negative terminal (which is marked with the minus sign,
-) and an electrolyte (which is the mixture of chemicals inside the zinc case
cell). Electricity leaves the cell from the + terminal, flows around a
circuit to do its work, and then returns to the - terminal.
graphite rod
In a Leclanch cell, the positive terminal is a rod made of
graphite. It sticks out at the top of the cell. The negative terminal
is the container. It is made of a metal called zinc. This terminal is
normally exposed at the base of the cell. The electrolyte is a electrolyte
paste made of two chemicals called ammonium chloride and
manganese dioxide. Battery clips have + and - signs to show
which way round to insert each cell. negative terminal
Voltage and power. Any Leclanch cell has 1.5 volts written on it
somewhere. This tells us about the power that pushes the electric current through the circuit. Big
fat cells, and small slim ones, all produce 1.5 volts, so they all have the same power. But of
course a big cell gives power for much longer than a small one. That is also the main difference
between an ordinary cell, and a cell marked heavy duty or high power. The heavy duty or high
power cell can work at full power for a longer time.

A job like turning the reel on a cassette player needs Cells and batteries
more power than we can get from 1.5 volts. When
we connect cells together (top to bottom of course) In science, words sometimes have special
the voltages add up. Two cells together give 3 volts. meanings. The proper scientific name for a
Cassette/CD players usually need 6 volts (a battery single 'battery' is a cell. A single cell
of four cells) or even 9 volts (six cells). This gives usually gives between 1 and 2 volts. The
them enough power to spin the cassette or disc at a exact voltage depends on what the
steady speed to produce a good sound! terminals and the electrolyte are made of.
The word battery is used for a group of
Other cells and batteries. Here are some notes cells working together. The 'battery' in a
about a few different kinds of cells and batteries: truck really is a battery - there are six
separate cells inside it.
High voltage batteries give 4.5 or 9 or 12 volts. Each
of these batteries has several 1.5 volts Leclanch cells
inside it. In the picture, a red 9V battery has been opened so
you can see some of the 6 small cells it contains.
Alkaline cells use a different electrolyte. They give 1.5 to 1.6
volts and can work at full power longer than other cells.
Lithium cells use different electrolytes too and use lithium for
the negative terminal. They give 1.5 volts (some kinds give
more) and can work at full power longer than other cells.
Button cells are the very tiny, flat cells used in watches,
calculators and cameras. They give about 1.25 to 1.55 volts.
Car or truck batteries give 12 volts. They have lead terminals
and a dangerous liquid electrolyte called sulphuric acid.
These large, heavy batteries contain six, 2 volts cells. They
are good for heavy work and are used to start cars and
trucks. They can be recharged when they run down.
1. In an ordinary (Leclanch) cell, (i) what are the terminals made of,
(ii) where are the + and - terminals, (iii) what is the voltage?
2. How can we make the voltages of two cells add together?
3. How many ordinary cells are there in a 4.5 volt battery? How many ordinary cells fill a battery clip for a 12 volt radio?

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