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A '''Battery''' is a device that stores chemical [[energy]] and produces [[electric current]]. Batteries may be single-use or rechargeable.
A '''Battery''' is a device that stores chemical [[energy]] and produces [[electric current]]. Batteries may be single-use or rechargeable.
==Design==
Batteries are generally composed of two electrodes (the anode and cathode), electrolyte, and a semi-permeable barrier. Traditionally, these batteries are pictured as a pair of discrete electrodes in a bath of acid. However, battery cells are almost always designed with the electrodes as a thin, flexible sheets. They are then rolled together with a separator in between, and then submerged in a comparatively small about of electrolyte.
==Function==
Batteries work by transferring particles from one electrode to the other, while causing electrons to flow from one external battery terminal to the other. The anode undergoes oxidation, which generates electrons (electricity). Meanwhile, the cathode undergoes a reduction reaction, which takes in electrons. On the outside of the battery, these electrons attempt to flow from the negative terminal to the positive, creating an energy flow. Placing a load in the circuit, between the negative and positive forces the electrons to pass through the load item, and perform some kind of work. Meanwhile, the internal electrodes continue to react as long as electrons can flow from one electrode to the other, and the required materials are still present.<ref>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/battery3.htm</ref><ref>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/battery2.htm</ref><br />
Some batteries are rechargeable, which means that this process can be easily reversed. By forcing electrons to pass through the battery in the opposite direction, the particles which moved from the anode to the cathode are pushed back to the cathode. Once complete, the external power source can be disconnected, and the anode will again try to transfer particles to the cathode, when the external terminals are again connected.
==Small batteries==
==Small batteries==
Even larger batteries are used for powering [[Submarine]]s<ref>http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/battery.html</ref> and [[Electric Vehicle]]s, such as forklift trucks.<ref>http://www.manbatindustrial.co.uk/forklift-batteries/</ref>
Even larger batteries are used for powering [[Submarine]]s<ref>http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/battery.html</ref> and [[Electric Vehicle]]s, such as forklift trucks.<ref>http://www.manbatindustrial.co.uk/forklift-batteries/</ref>
<!--==Problems==
Modern batteries have an assortment of problems--from wearing out to burring up (literally). -->
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Battery charger]]
* [[Battery charger]]