How does a battery work? Clearly explained

Remote controls, measuring devices and other small electronics are mostly powered by batteries. We will show you how a battery works and what exactly is inside the small power storage.

This is how a battery works - simply explained

• There is a liquid inside the battery, the electrolyte. In addition, a battery contains two different types of metal.
• The two metals react with each other through the electrolyte. There is an exchange of electrons between the two metals.
• To use this chemical energy, you have to insert the battery into a remote control, for example. The electrons start moving by connecting the two poles.
• The movement of the electrons creates electrical energy with which our remote control is operated. On the other hand, heat energy is generated so that the battery heats up when you use it for a longer period.

This is how a lithium-ion battery works

• In the meantime, the so-called lithium-ion batteries are used for almost all devices. Whether smartphone, laptop or digital camera, there are lithium-ion batteries everywhere.
• The metal on the negative pole of the battery is graphite in which lithium is embedded. Lithium cobalt dioxide is located at the positive pole.
• Connect the battery to the socket, the positively charged lithium ions move from the positive pole to the negative pole. If you use the battery in a device, the electrons are absorbed by the ions.
• The negatively charged ions then migrate back to the positive pole and are recharged here.
• This process is finite. After numerous charging cycles, not all lithium ions can be fully discharged. For this reason, the lifespan of rechargeable batteries also decreases within approx. 2 to 5 years, depending on the service life.