It can be fun to learn new things. Let’s talk about how car batteries work. Before we get into the details of what goes on inside the battery, it’s important to know that your car battery will last, on average, three to four years. If your battery is at least this old or older, stop by our shop so we can test it to see if it is holding a full charge. If it isn’t, we will replace the battery so you don’t end up stranded.
Inside the Battery – Generally
For those who are interested in the details, basically, your battery has six cells and sulfuric acid and water inside of it. The cells are made of lead. The sulfuric acid interacts with the cells to create chemical energy. This chemical energy can also be called a chemical reaction. The chemical energy turns into electricity that is routed through the engine by the battery cables.
Inside the Battery – Detailed
Now let’s get into the details. As we mentioned above, the battery has six cells. The battery has 12 lead plates that make up these six cells. Each cell has one lead dioxide plate and one plane lead plate. When combined during the chemical reaction, each cell will produce two volts of electricity. As you know, when you multiply six by two, you get 12. This means your car’s battery is a 12-volt battery.
The six cells are placed in the battery in a row. The battery case is made of plastic. When the cells are put inside of the battery, they are immersed in sulfuric acid. It is this combination of lead, lead dioxide, and sulfuric acid that causes the chemical energy or reaction inside the battery. Specifically, there is a chemical reaction that occurs between the lead plates in each cell.
When this chemical reaction occurs, it creates ions that are free to move around the lead plates. It also creates lead sulfate. As the ions move around the lead plates, you end up with another chemical reaction inside of the battery. This reaction creates lead sulfate and hydrogen. When you combine these chemical reactions with the movement of the ions, the battery starts to generate electricity.
The electricity moves to the positive or negative terminal where it is routed through your vehicle’s electrical system by the battery cable. If you are having problems with your automobile’s electrical system and your battery is too old, stop by our shop today for a new battery.
