How Do Batteries Work?

Ever wonder how those little metal items can power flashlights, cameras, lamps and other even larger devices? Whether it be alkine, lithium or rechargeables, and no matter what brand they are, they all have basic components that help them operate. Here is an overview from the outside in.

The Parts of Batteries & How They Work Together
The Outside
The container is part of the process. It is a steel housing that the charge goes through.

The Ingredients
The inside of the battery is a mixture of Manganese dioxide and carbon. This is called the Cathode. It is what reacts together to cause the charge.

The Separator
Is actually a woven fabric on the inside that separates the electrodes to make ensure they do not, in essence, explode inside, which cause the battery to be a dud.

The Anodes
A zinc metal that is powdered, attaches to the bump that you see on the outside of the casing itself. (The negative side of the battery.)

The Electrodes
This is where the reaction takes place. (The positive side of the battery.)

The Electrolyte
In essence, it is water with a potassium hydroxide solution. It is what carries the current inside the battery from front to back.

The Collecter
A pin, made of brass, that conducts the electricity to the outside circuits (bumps) on the battery.

In short, when you place a battery into an item and turn it on, the chemical reaction starts immediately. It sends a charge though to the ingredients, weaves around the separator, creates the electrodes and carries the length of the electrolyte, through the collecter to the outside casing where it powers up your camera, flashlight or other device.

Source:
Energizer: Battery 101: How Batteries Work
http://www.energizer.com/learning-center/Pages/how-batteries-work.aspx