Chemical Energy and Electrical Charges

Chemical Energy Separates Electrical Charges in Cells

• Analogy: Charged storm clouds and batteries both separate positive and negative charges.
• Lightning: An uncontrolled burst of electrical energy that can cause damage.
• Batteries: Provide a steady, controlled flow of electricity.
• Definition: A battery is a combination of electrochemical cells or a single electrochemical cell.
• Function: Electrochemical cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy stored in charges.
• Example: An AA "battery" is an electrochemical cell.
• Process within a Cell:
  • Chemical reactions between two different metals or metal compounds occur on the surface of electrodes.
  • Electrodes are in a solution called an electrolyte.
  • Reactions cause one electrode to become positively charged and the other negatively charged.
  • Chemical energy separates positive and negative charges.
  • Electrodes are in contact with terminals in the cell.

Types of Cells

• Dry Cell:
  • Contains a moist paste as an electrolyte.
• Wet Cell:
  • Electrodes sit in a liquid solution.
• Function:
  • Both transform chemical energy into electrical energy to run portable devices.