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Jump to navigationJump to searchCreated page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== Anglo-French ''baterie'', from ''batre'' to beat, from Latin ''battuere'' *[http://en.wikip...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Car-battery-light140.jpg|right|frame]]
==Origin==
Anglo-French ''baterie'', from ''batre'' to beat, from [[Latin]] ''battuere''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 16th Century]
==Definitions==
*1a : the act of battering or beating
:b : an [[offensive]] [[touching]] or use of [[force]] on a person without the person's [[consent]] — compare [[assault]]
*2: [Middle French ''batterie'', from ''battre'' to beat]
:a : a grouping of artillery pieces for [[tactical]] [[purposes]]
:b : the guns of a warship
*3: an artillery unit in the army equivalent to a company
*4a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single [[electrical]] [[effect]]
:b : a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish [[electric]] current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current <a flashlight battery>
:c plural : level of [[energy]] or [[enthusiasm]] <needs a vacation to recharge her batteries>
*5a : a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, [[connected]], or used together : set, series <a battery of tests>
:b : a usually impressive or imposing [[group]] : [[array]]
==Description==
An [[electric]] '''battery''' is a device consisting of one or more [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochemical_cell electrochemical cells] that convert stored [[chemical]] energy into [[electrical]] energy. Each battery consists of a [[negative]] electrode (anode) that holds charged [[ions]], a [[positive]] electrode (cathode) that holds discharged ions, an electrolyte that allows ions to move from anode to cathode during discharge (and return during recharge) and terminals that allow current to [[flow]] out of the battery to perform work.
Batteries are either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_battery primary] (single-use or "disposable") that are used once and discarded or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_battery secondary] (rechargeable batteries) that are discharged and recharged multiple times.
Batteries are made from many [[materials]] including various metals, carbon, polymers and even [[air]]. The most common are lead-acid batteries used in vehicles and lithium ion batteries used for portable electronics. Batteries come in many shapes and sizes, from miniature cells used to power [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_aid hearing aids] and wristwatches to battery banks the size of rooms that provide standby power for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_exchange telephone exchanges] and computer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_center data centers].
Batteries have been a recent [[focus]] of [[research]] and development, because they are seen as essential in the [[transition]] from fossil fuels to alternative energy, both for transport and [[electricity]] production and for powering portable devices of all kinds.
Billions of batteries are used each year to power devices as diverse as automobiles to mobile phones. According to a 2005 estimate, the worldwide battery industry generates US$48billion in sales each year, with 6% annual growth.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity)]
[[Category: Chemistry]]
[[Category: Physics]]
==Origin==
Anglo-French ''baterie'', from ''batre'' to beat, from [[Latin]] ''battuere''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 16th Century]
==Definitions==
*1a : the act of battering or beating
:b : an [[offensive]] [[touching]] or use of [[force]] on a person without the person's [[consent]] — compare [[assault]]
*2: [Middle French ''batterie'', from ''battre'' to beat]
:a : a grouping of artillery pieces for [[tactical]] [[purposes]]
:b : the guns of a warship
*3: an artillery unit in the army equivalent to a company
*4a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single [[electrical]] [[effect]]
:b : a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish [[electric]] current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current <a flashlight battery>
:c plural : level of [[energy]] or [[enthusiasm]] <needs a vacation to recharge her batteries>
*5a : a number of similar articles, items, or devices arranged, [[connected]], or used together : set, series <a battery of tests>
:b : a usually impressive or imposing [[group]] : [[array]]
==Description==
An [[electric]] '''battery''' is a device consisting of one or more [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochemical_cell electrochemical cells] that convert stored [[chemical]] energy into [[electrical]] energy. Each battery consists of a [[negative]] electrode (anode) that holds charged [[ions]], a [[positive]] electrode (cathode) that holds discharged ions, an electrolyte that allows ions to move from anode to cathode during discharge (and return during recharge) and terminals that allow current to [[flow]] out of the battery to perform work.
Batteries are either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_battery primary] (single-use or "disposable") that are used once and discarded or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_battery secondary] (rechargeable batteries) that are discharged and recharged multiple times.
Batteries are made from many [[materials]] including various metals, carbon, polymers and even [[air]]. The most common are lead-acid batteries used in vehicles and lithium ion batteries used for portable electronics. Batteries come in many shapes and sizes, from miniature cells used to power [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_aid hearing aids] and wristwatches to battery banks the size of rooms that provide standby power for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_exchange telephone exchanges] and computer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_center data centers].
Batteries have been a recent [[focus]] of [[research]] and development, because they are seen as essential in the [[transition]] from fossil fuels to alternative energy, both for transport and [[electricity]] production and for powering portable devices of all kinds.
Billions of batteries are used each year to power devices as diverse as automobiles to mobile phones. According to a 2005 estimate, the worldwide battery industry generates US$48billion in sales each year, with 6% annual growth.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity)]
[[Category: Chemistry]]
[[Category: Physics]]
