Parts of a Dry Cell Battery
DC batteries are often called "dry cell" batteries; however, this term is not really correct. DC is actually an abbreviation for direct current. The most common form of DC batteries are made up of a number of parts, each of which is essential to allow the battery to supply the direct current which powers many battery-operated products.
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How Batteries Work
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Thomas Edison created the first practical DC power system, which used a generator to generate electricity. The generator actually created AC, or alternating current, which was converted to DC by a device known as a commutator. DC power gets its name because it generates power by a direct flow of current in a single direction. The current flows through a stored energy source which is contained within the battery. When this stored energy is depleted, the battery no longer generates electron flow. In common vernacular, the battery is "dead." Rechargeable batteries can repeat this process a number of times; however, the replenishment of energy eventually fails and rechargeable batteries are no longer functional.
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The Positive Terminal
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The first contact point for a DC battery is the positive terminal, also known as the cathode. Electrons begin to build up, then flow away from the anode because they repel one another. The flow is an attempt by the electrons to even out their distribution within the battery chamber.
The Carbon Rod and Chemical Conductor
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Inside the battery, electrons flow through a carbon rod which is suspended in a chemical mixture. The chemical mixture acts as a conductor which aids the flow of electrons through the battery. In the common alkaline battery, this chemical mixture contains potassium hydroxide.
The Negative Terminal
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Once the electrons have made their way through the battery chamber, they exit through the negative terminal. The negative terminal is also known as the anode. This process completes the connection between the current and the device which the battery is powering.
The Outside Casing
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The outside casing encloses carbon rod and chemical conductor inside the battery. The cathode and anode are located at either end of the outside casing. With common alkaline batteries, this outside casing is made of zinc, although there may be a thin layer of another material which allows manufacturers to mark the battery with its brand name and other information.
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