Here are some common terms related to electric batteries:
- Battery: A device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
- Cell: The basic unit of a battery that contains electrodes, an electrolyte, and a separator. Multiple cells are often connected together to form a battery.
- Anode: The electrode in a battery where oxidation (loss of electrons) occurs during discharge. Electrons flow from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit.
- Cathode: The electrode in a battery where reduction (gain of electrons) occurs during discharge. Electrons flow from the cathode to the anode through an external circuit.
- Electrolyte: A conductive solution or material that allows ions to move between the electrodes inside a battery during charge and discharge cycles.
- Separator: A porous material placed between the electrodes in a battery to prevent short circuits while allowing ions to pass through.
- Capacity: The amount of electrical energy that a battery can store, typically measured in ampere-hours (Ah) or watt-hours (Wh).
- Voltage: The electrical potential difference between the positive and negative terminals of a battery, measured in volts (V).
- Current: The flow of electric charge (electrons) through a circuit, typically measured in amperes (A).
- Charge: The process of replenishing a battery's energy by forcing electrons to flow from an external power source (e.g., a charger) to the battery.
- Discharge: The process of releasing stored energy from a battery by allowing electrons to flow from the battery through an external circuit to power a device.
- Cycle Life: The number of charge-discharge cycles that a battery can undergo before its capacity and performance degrade to a specified level.
- State of Charge (SOC): A measure of the remaining capacity or energy level of a battery, expressed as a percentage of its maximum capacity.
- State of Health (SOH): A measure of a battery's overall condition and performance relative to its original specifications.
- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery: A type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the charge carriers. Li-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.
- Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Battery: A type of rechargeable battery that uses nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrodes. NiCd batteries have good cycling performance but are less common due to environmental concerns related to cadmium.
- Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Battery: A type of rechargeable battery that uses a hydrogen-absorbing alloy instead of cadmium. NiMH batteries offer higher energy density and are environmentally friendly compared to NiCd batteries.
- Lead-Acid Battery: A type of rechargeable battery that uses lead dioxide as the positive electrode, metallic lead as the negative electrode, and sulfuric acid as the electrolyte. Lead-acid batteries are commonly used in automotive, marine, and standby power applications.
Understanding these terms can help you better comprehend the functioning, characteristics, and maintenance of electric batteries across various applications.