How Batteries Work and Why They Run Out

Batteries have long been an integral part of our lives. They power everything from the watch on our wrist to electric cars. Even the smartphone you are reading this text from runs on a small battery. We are so used to these small power sources that we often don’t notice them until the worst happens – they run out of power. Although modern batteriesdesigned to last as long as possible, each has its own limit. To understand why they stop working, you need to understand a little about how they work.

How batteries work and why they discharge. Rechargeable batteries are designed simply, and their operating principle cannot be called complicated. Image source: Freepik. Photo.

Rechargeable batteries are simple in design, and their operating principle is not complicated either. Image source: Freepik

Contents

  • 1 How Rechargeable Batteries Work
  • 2 How do batteries work?
  • 3 Why do batteries run out?
  • 4 Why does the battery run down quickly in the cold?

How do rechargeable batteries work?

Rechargeable batteries are truly amazing devices that produce electricity, allowing us to use a wide variety of devices. But where does their energy come from? The authors of IFL Science answered this question.

In fact, there is no “ready” electrical energy inside the battery. According to materials science professor Antoine Allanore, electricity cannot be captured and stored, but we can store electrical energy in the chemicals inside the battery.

How rechargeable batteries work. All batteries work in about the same way. Image source: AIF. Photo.

All batteries work in roughly the same way. Image source: AIF

The Basic Principle of Battery Operationare the same: a chemical reaction occurs inside that moves charged particles (electrons) from one end of the battery, the anode, to the other, called the cathode.

Depending on the type of battery, these ends are made of different materials. For example, in lithium-ion batteries, which are used in smartphones and electric cars, the cathode is made of lithium compounds, and the anode is made of graphite. And in regular alkaline batteries, which most often come to mind when the word “battery” is mentioned, the cathode is made of manganese dioxide, and the anode is made of zinc.

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How batteries work

When a battery is connected to a device, such as a flashlight, charged particles begin to move— that's electricity. Electrons, negatively charged particles, begin to move along external wires from one end of the battery to the other. This movement creates an electric current that powers the device.

How batteries work. Operating principle of an AA battery. Image source: Huawei. Photo.

How a finger battery works. Image source: Huawei

At the same time, another process is happening inside the battery: positively charged particles called ions move through a special substance called electrolyte. This electrolyte separates the two ends of the battery, allowing ions to move freely inside, but preventing electrons from passing through directly. Due to this separation, ions and electrons interact with each other, creating a steady flow of energy.

So electrons move outside, and ions move inside, and this interaction keeps the battery running, providing electricity to the device.

Why Batteries Run Out

Batteries run out of power for a very obvious reason: the chemical reaction that powers them cannot continue indefinitely. In the case of regular alkaline batteries, the kind we typically use in remote controls or watches, this reaction occurs between zinc and manganese dioxide. As long as there is enough of these substances, the battery generates current. However, as soon as the zinc has completely reacted with the manganese dioxide, the process stops and the battery loses its capacity. This means that all the chemical components inside it have been used up, and it cannot produce any more energy.

Why batteries run out of power. The lifespan of a battery depends on what it is used for. Image source: New Retail. Photo.

The lifespan of a battery depends on what it is used for. Image source: New Retail

Interestingly, if the battery is not connected to the device, the chemical reaction does not occur. Therefore, a new battery can be stored on the shelf for years without losing its energy. However, as soon as a person begins to use it, the discharge process begins, and the battery gradually loses its ability to power the device.

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Why does the battery drain quickly in the cold

Temperature also plays a significant role in battery discharge. In the cold chemical reactions slow down, and the battery produces less electricity. If the temperature is too low, it may temporarily stop working, although it may come back to life when it is warm. However, if the battery gets too hot, especially lithium-ion batteries, it may overheat, which can lead to failure or even fire.

Why the battery drains quickly in the cold. Smartphones often turn off in the cold, and this is easily explained. Image source: AIF. Photo.

Smartphones often turn off in the cold, and this is easily explained. Image source: AIF

Another reason why batteries can discharge faster is leaks. If the battery case is damaged and chemicals begin to leak, there are fewer active components left inside for the reaction, and the battery “dies” faster.

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It is important to note that batteries cannot be simply thrown into the trash – they pollute the environment greatly. You can find addresses of places where you can hand in batteries on the Internet. Storing them at home is also not a good idea, and there is a good reason for this.


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