How Batteries Work

Types of Batteries

Simple Voltaic Cell

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Alessandro Volta, an Italian professor, devised the first battery in 1800. One very basic form of cell is called a simple voltaic cell, in his honor. It uses a strip or rod of copper as the cathode and one of zinc as the anode. Sulfuric acid mixed with water is the electrolyte. When the cell is not in use, the molecules of the acid in the electrolyte dissociate, or divide, into electrically charged portions…

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Daniell Cell

Modern Primary Batteries

Secondary Batteries

Special-Purpose Batteries