TABLE OF CONTENTS David Linden
A battery is a device that converts the chemical energy contained in its active materials directly into electric energy by means of an electrochemical oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction. In the case of a rechargeable system, the battery is recharged by a reversal of the process. This type of reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one material to another through an electric circuit. In a nonelectrochemical redox reaction, such as rusting or burning, the transfer of electrons occurs directly and only heat is involved. As the battery electro-chemically converts chemical energy into electric energy, it is not subject, as are combustion or heat engines, to the limitations of the Carnot cycle dictated by the second law of thermodynamics. Batteries, therefore, are capable of having higher energy conversion efficiencies.
While the term battery is often used, the basic electrochemical unit being referred to is the cell. A battery consists of one or more of these cells, connected in series or parallel, or both, depending on the desired output voltage and capacity. [*]
The cell consists of three major components:
The anode or negative electrode the reducing or fuel electrode which gives up electrons to the external circuit and is oxidized during the electrochemical reaction.
The cathode or positive electrode the oxidizing electrode which accepts electrons...
