how a battery works?

A battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

We have seen earlier that all batteries have a cathode (+) and an anode(-) terminal. A chemical reaction takes place causing movement of electrons. When a device is connected, electrons flow from (-)negative terminal to (+)postive terminal and a current is produced. When a device like a light bulb or radio is connected and the switch is turned on, the electrical energy generated by the chemical reaction in the battery powers the device. < Click the switch on the left

 

 

When batteries are connected in series

	The battery voltage is a multiple of single cell voltage.
	The battery capacity is the same as single cell capacity.
	In a serial arrangement of batteries the voltage adds up to produce a higher voltage.

Example: In a serial arrangement of four 1.5V batteries, the four voltages add together to produce 6 volts, but the current supplied will be that of a single cell.

 

 

When batteries are connected in parallel

	The battery voltage is equal to single cell voltage.
	The battery capacity is a multiple of single cell capacity.
	In a parallel arrangement of four batteries, the voltage remains the same but the current supplied is four times that of a single cell

 

Example: In a parallel arrangement, if you assume that each cell produces 1.5 volts, then four produce 1.5 volts, but the current supplied will be four times that of a single cell.