An electric battery is a source of electric power consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections for powering electrical devices.
A battery works on the oxidation and reduction reaction of an electrolyte with metals. When two dissimilar metallic substances, called electrode, are placed in a diluted electrolyte, oxidation and reduction reaction take place in the electrodes respectively depending upon the electron affinity of the metal of the electrodes. As a result of the oxidation reaction, one electrode gets negatively charged called cathode and due to the reduction reaction, another electrode gets positively charged called anode .The cathode forms the negative terminal whereas anode forms the positive terminal of a battery. To understand the basic principle of battery properly, first, we should have some basic concept of electrolytes and electrons affinity. Actually, when two dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte, there will be a potential difference produced between these metals.
Lithium batteries are one of the most commonly used battery types. They offer the highest energy density of any other battery cell, meaning they store more energy than other batteries, such as alkaline. Lithium batteries are only sold in AA, AAA, and 9V sizes; however, their mAh ratings exceed every other non-rechargeable battery. One AA lithium battery ranges from 2,700-3,400 mAh, and will last a long time, even under heavy-use.
Alkaline batteries are economical, easy to dispose of, and extremely popular. They normally have a capacity rating of over 2,500 mAh, great for moderate to heavy-use devices. Unlike lithium batteries, almost every standard size battery offers an alkaline construction, making it perfect for most devices.
Carbon zinc batteries are extremely inexpensive, but have a very low energy density. Oftentimes, these batteries won’t be able to supply enough power to a high-drain device beyond merely turning it on.
Silver oxide batteries are commonly used in wrist watches and other small devices. Because the battery is constructed of real silver, it is often sold only in button cells where the amount of silver is insignificant to the overall cost of the product.
Zinc air batteries are unique in their construction, as they generate electrical power through exposure to oxygen. This makes them unfit for wrist watches, but perfect for hearing aids. Activating the battery requires a user to remove a sealing tab from the battery, enabling airflow.
Rechargeable batteries are a cost-effective solution that work to save you money in the long run. Best paired with devices that use high power frequently, rechargeable batteries come in many different shapes and sizes. Although consumer sizes, like AA and AAA batteries are commonly used, lithium-ion batteries are the ones that are most prevalent. These batteries power laptops, cell phones, and portable electronic devices as well as medical equipment and power tools.
Lithium-ion batteries, also frequently referred to as li-ion, are the most popular and regularly used batteries in today’s world. Although you may not realize what kind of battery powers your mobile phone or laptop, chances are it’s a li-ion battery. These batteries are a type of rechargeable battery and can be recharged over and over again. They do not require regular maintenance, and provide an extremely high energy density. Li-ion batteries are not available in consumer sizes because they could explode if placed in a regular device used to recharge batteries. Instead, they require a special kind of charger with a specific lithium-ion charge algorithm.
NiCd batteries, or nickel cadmium, are a popular choice for toys, digital cameras, or other high-drain devices like flashlights. They come in standard sizes, like AA, AAA, C, and 9V. NiCd batteries are unique compared to other batteries, such as alkaline, in that they will maintain a steady voltage up until the battery is depleted. With 1.2V per cell, it does not have a high voltage, but the powerful delivery makes up for this. For example, you can tell when a flashlight is dying, as the lightbulb will slowly dim. With NiCd batteries, the brightness will remain constant, until the battery’s power is depleted.
Although NiMH batteries are labeled as high-density, this can come at the expense of a reduced cycle life. They have a high energy density, but can only be recharged about 500 times. While they will certainly pay for themselves over time, they may not be the best choice for applications like smoke alarms, TV remotes, or clocks. All of these devices draw very low energy, and a NiMH battery is best used within a 30-day period. Like NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries will deliver at full capacity until almost all of the energy has been discharged.
These large, heavy batteries are used for heavy equipment that require huge amounts of energy. They are commonly used in lawn mowers, power tools, and generators and provide long-lasting power in between charges.
Large, block-shaped, and heavy, this battery provides hundreds of amps of electrical current and is commonly used in cars and other industrial equipment. Compared to some of the bigger voltage batteries, it might not make sense that a car is able to function with only 12 volts while other heavy equipment requires much more than just 12 volts. This is because heavy equipment and cordless power tools all require a charge after their energy has been depleted. Cars use an alternator which acts as a generator to keep the car's battery powered, eliminating the need for an external charger.
At 22 volts, this battery is used to power heavy equipment and high-power cordless tools like drills and electric saws. Because cordless power tools are compact, but require a great deal of energy, 22V batteries are perfect for the job. They deliver high power for an extended period of time, such as when installing electrical appliances.
With an enormous voltage rating of 44 volts, this battery powers equipment that consumes power, like cordless power washers, leaf blowers, and self-propelled lawn mowers. All of these use up a huge amount of energy because not only are they in constant use, they are also high-powered.
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