In today’s world, technology is developed, sophisticated, thus bringing all sorts of comfort to our lives. The invention and usage of electricity has been the most useful development the world of science has ever produced. iPods, computer, television, refrigerator, air cooler, or any appliance as such, which can give us comfort is due to the invention of electricity. Since electricity plays an important role in our lives, it is important that you know about one of the major sources of electricity, which comes handy and effective when used properly – Battery.
History of batteries
The definition of battery for a layperson is – “A device which produces electricity”. Not everyone knows how the term “battery” was framed or how a battery works. Benjamin Franklin, a scientist, who coined the term “battery” due to its parallel and sequential arrangement of chemical substances which are capable of producing the electric current.
How do batteries work?
Batteries produce electrons through the chemical substance present inside resulting in electrochemical reactions. These reactions are responsible of the power supply of a battery. You may have noticed that a battery has two terminals. One is the positive terminal (+) and the other is a negative terminal (-). The negative terminal collects the electrons and the positive terminal transfers these electrons to the device through a wire for electric current to pass. Electric current is passed in a battery only when it flows from the negative to the positive terminal and a write touches the battery.
Batteries are classified into two types, Primary battery and secondary battery. Primary batteries are the batteries which doesn’t have a long life while secondary batteries are rechargeable (A, AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D are some of the type of batteries which come under both primary and secondary classification). A battery capacity may vary from 1.5 Volts to 9 Volts.
Being an important source of electricity, it is necessary to use batteries wisely. Proper use of batteries can give it a longer life, thus it saves electricity. It is recommended that you keep the batteries away from children (3 – 8 years of age) as it may cause choking hazards. Buy batteries from a reputed manufacturer because battery leaks are dangerous.