What are the three essential parts to make a battery?

Before we go on to the parts and making of a battery we should have a clear concept about batteries. Let's begin with knowing about what is a battery, how does it work, and how it is useful to us. 

A battery is a collection of many electrochemical cells. It is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy employing its active materials stored in electrochemical cells. 

The working principle of batteries are its electrochemical reactions and the electromotive force that carry out these reactions. This conversion of energy takes place via a series of redox reactions i.e the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reactions. These redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons among the active materials of a battery via an electric circuit. 

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Today, in the world of science and technology batteries play a very crucial role in our daily lives. From our cell phones to our cars, almost all the electronic gadgets now rely on batteries. 

Now, after having an initial know-how on batteries let's begin with our main query i.e the components of a battery. 

Three essential parts of a battery

A battery comprises three major components a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, contained together in various types of casings. These three major elements make up the basic framework of all sorts of batteries. An electrode is a type of conductor that allows electricity and ions to pass through it. The anode and cathode are the two kinds of an electrode. The electrolyte is a gel-like substance separating the electrodes. 

A Positive terminal or Cathode 

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The cathode of a battery is the electrode at which reduction reactions occur. It is the positive electrode through which the conventional current leaves a device. 

The electrons from the anode, return into the cell via cathode. The electrons that leave from anode can only enter the cathode (ultimately into the cell) by means of an external circuit. In a battery, the cathode supplies electrons to the cations or positively charged ions of the electrolyte. 

Cathode is negative for the devices where the energy of the cell is used up to degrade chemical compounds. But, in devices that generate energy cathode is positive. 

A Negative terminal or Anode

The anode of a battery is the electrode at which oxidation reactions occur. It is a negative electrode through which many electrons pass out towards the external circuit. In a battery, the anode is negative because of the conventional flow of electric current towards this electrode. 

Generally, the oxidation reactions occurring at the anode include reactions of anions or negative ions at the electrode. These anion reactions leave plenty of electrons at the anode. These electrons then move out of the anode towards the driving circuit. 

In devices that consume power anode is positive whereas, in devices that provide power such as batteries, the anode is negative. 

An Electrolyte 

Electrolytes are the substances that can produce an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in polar solvents. They constitute a neutral solution that contains cations and anions equally. The electrolytes can be acids, salts, or bases. It includes all the substances that can dissociate into their ions in a polar solvent. The most common of these substances include sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and calcium, etc. 

When the electric current is supplied to a battery the cations and anions of the electrolyte move to their respective electrodes. The cations move towards the electrode having plenty of electrons and anions move towards the electrode that has a deficit of electrons. 

The electrolyte prevents the flow of electrons in between the two electrodes of a battery. This arrangement allows electrons to pass via the external circuit thus contributing to the production of electrical energy. 

The components of lithium-ion battery

A lithium-ion battery consists of four major components. 

A Cathode (Lithium)

 Lithium is the main component of Li-ion batteries. The space of lithium in such batteries is functionally reserved as the cathode of the battery. As lithium alone is unstable in its metallic form so a combination of lithium and oxygen as lithium oxide is fundamentally used for cathode. The active material of the battery i.e lithium-ion maintains the potential difference of the battery. 

An Anode 

The anode typically used is of graphite, coated with the active material, binder, and conductive additives. It functions to access the flow of electric current through the circuit. The optimal qualities of graphite enables lithium ions to get stored in the anode during the charging of the battery. 

An Electrolyte 

The electrolyte serves as a perfect medium that allows only the lithium ions to pass between the electrodes. The electrolyte used is mainly of high ionic conductivity that compliments the easy flow of lithium ions.

A Separator 

The separator performs the protective functions for the battery. It separates the electrodes to prevent the direct flow of electrons. The separators more commonly used are resins, polyethylene, or polypropylene. 

All these components of lithium-ion batteries function together to provide an effective working of the battery. 

How can I make a battery? 

There are plenty of ways for making your own battery at home. The two fun and easy ways to make a battery are: 

The Salt Battery 

Materials: 

1.12 iron or zinc screws 

2.A syringe piston 

3.Strips of paper

4.Sandpaper 

5.Salt 

6.Water 

7.Copper wire

8.LED lights 

9.A Screwdriver

10.An insulating material (cardboard or plastic) 

11.A Multimeter:

Method: 

1.Remove the insulation of copper wire with the help of sandpaper. 

2.Wrap the strips of paper tightly around the screws. 

3.Wind the copper wires tightly around the screws. 30 to40 times around each screw. Make sure the wire does not touch the screws. 

4.Make holes on one side of the insulating material using the syringe piston. 

5.With the help of a screwdriver fit the screws in the hole in a grid-like manner. 

6.Connect them with the help of copper wire. 

7.Dip the apparatus in saltwater for some time. 

8.Connect the battery to a multimeter or the led lights to check the working of the battery. 

The Soda Powered Battery 

Materials: 

1.An unopened can of soda. 

2.A plastic cup 

3.3-4 inch wide copper wire. 

4.A pair of scissors 

5.Voltmeter 

6.Electrical lead wires with alligator clips:

Method:

1.Fill 3/4th of the cup with soda. 

2.Cut two strips of aluminum from the soda can. ( width 3/4th and length greater than the cup) 

3.Use the sandpaper to de-insulate the aluminum strip. 

4.Place the strips in the soda. Make sure the strips are wide apart from each other. 

5.Attach the lead wires to the free non-dipped ends of the strips. 

6.Connect the lead wire to the voltmeter following the instructions on the voltmeter.  

7.Notice the reading of the voltmeter.