Three Most Common Types of Batteries, Research Paper Example

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Batteries are devices that consist of one or more electrochemical cells. These cells are able to convert chemical energy that are stored for a relative span of time into electric energy. Every battery has its own positive and negative terminals. These terminals specifically charge the electrochemical cells to be able to empower the process of conversion. The manner by which current flows within a battery is characterized through the determination of distance that the electrodes have between each other. Relatively, the close the electrodes are, the stronger the battery power is; however this does not measure the overall efficiency of the battery.

There are specifically two specific categories of batteries. Primary batteries are the ones that use the process of irreversive transformation of energy. Considerably, this means that when the electrochemical cells stored in the battery have already been used up and specifically exhausted due to repetitive use, the battery cannot be reused anymore. This means that the electrochemical cells cannot be recharged thus cannot be reused. The second category is most commonly known as the rechargeable batteries. They operate under conditions of reversing their chemical reactions to be able to regain energy processing into the system. Once the energy is used up, the electrochemical cells used in these batteries have the capacity to be reversed and regain power again through recharging. However, it should be taken into consideration that secondary batteries are not rechargeable for a several repetitive times. There is a point when the electrochemical cells cannot regain energy anymore especially at the point of the cells’ energy being completely used up and exhausted due to repetitive charging. Some other reasons for such failure to reverse chemical energy operation is the loss of electrolyte and the internal corrosion of the cells making up the battery.

There are also three primary types of batteries that are most commonly used at present. One is the wet cell battery. Wet cell batteries are noted for their use as learning tools. These tools provide a distinct visual presentation on how energy flows through a battery. For instance, a concentration cell provides a distinct presentation on how corrosion in batteries occurs and what they are about. These batteries have non-rechargeable cells. The wet cell batteries are noted as precursors to the dry cell batteries. Both battery setups provide a common picture on how the process of energy reversion operates. However, not both setups are considered to be used in the same manner. At present, there are still some wet cell batteries that are used in automobiles as emergency energy source. Other wet cell batteries are used as reserve energy resources for uninterrupted power supply. Considerably though, to make it easier to transport these power sources, gel cells are used instead.

Dry cells batteries on the other hand are made up of paste electrolyte. This setup of energy resource makes it easier for the battery to restore enough moisture that allows better current flow. The creation of the dry cells responded to one common disadvantage that wet cells are characterized with. Most wet cell batteries use-up their energy fast especially at the point of spilling out the contents because of the wide molecular distribution of the electrodes within liquid cells. The orientation of the content of dry cell batteries make it possible for them to be used in different orientations without spilling anything thus avoiding the possibility of wasting energy resource. This then makes these types of batteries more portable and relatively practical for general use. Unlike the wet cells that are usually kept in fragile glass containers, the dry cell batteries are contained in either large or small packages [depending on where they are supposed to be used] and are specifically safe for transport. Most dry cell batteries are portable enough to energize even huge electrical gadgets or appliances. Comprising of a zinc anode and ammonium chloride, the paste-formed electrochemical cells in a dry cell make it much easier to handle and operate for battery users.

The molten salt batteries on the other hand could either be primary or secondary batteries. These batteries utilize molten salt as a form of electrolyte. This is the reason why these batteries are also noted as the liquid sodium battery. Primary thermal molten salt batteries are usually stored in a solid state and when they are needed to operate, they are heated to be activated. Rechargeable molten salt batteries on the other hand are those that are usually used in electric cars. However, at present, this particular type of battery faces the challenge of having the disadvantage of losing heat at a much faster rate than that of the dry cell batteries most commonly used in fuel-powered cars.

The distinct types of batteries could be noted for the way they are created to be able to respond to particular energy needs that could power up particular gadgets, appliances or mobiles used by the human society. At present, creating more responsive and efficient forms of batteries that could respond to the use of alternative energy source are being researched upon to make sure that they compromise to the current need of developing more sustainable sources of energy. Through these particular researches, it is expected that more advanced and sustainable setup of batteries could be discovered and implemented as a distinct determination of how batteries are supposed to work for the best benefits of humans when it comes to responding to their energy needs.

Works Cited

Dingrando, Laurel; et al. (2007). Chemistry: Matter and Change. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

Fink, Donald G.; H. Wayne Beaty (1978). Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, Eleventh Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Knight, Randall D. (2004). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach. San Francisco: Pearson Education.