Image description
The image shows an electric AA or AAA battery, in a vertical position, sectioned so that its interior can be seen.
The battery, in a general sense, is an electrochemical medium for storing energy and producing energy through the chemical oxidation-reduction reactions inside the battery.
Thus, the chemical energy present in the materials of which it is composed is converted into electricity.
It has two center poles, one at the top and one at the bottom of the battery.
The positive pole, always highlighted, is called the cathode and is made of metal oxide, and the negative pole is called the anode and consists of a metal.
In the image, the positive pole is shown upwards, by a bulging of the battery tip marked with a thickened line, narrowed towards the upper center.
The negative pole is represented at the base of the battery, in the center, in the shape of a thin rectangle, short, horizontal and embossed.
On the marginal inside of the battery, respectively in the cell walls, there is the electrolyte or ionic conductor, a liquid that favors the energy transfer between the two poles.
The electrolyte is rendered by a thickened line, outlining a vertical rectangle.
The center of this rectangle is filled with dotted texture, representing the positive electrode made of manganese dioxide.
The thin, vertical and embossed rectangle in the center of the dotted texture highlights the cathode or the carbon current collector.
The outer walls of the battery cell are made of an insulation tube and then of a metal jacket with a paper or plastic label.
General information
These two types of batteries are the most common and well-known for charging small electronic devices. Examples of such devices are: photo-video cameras, remote-controls, pocket lanterns, various measuring devices (like thermometers, electronic weighing scales etc.), as well as toys (for example, toy cars with a small engine, lights and sounds).
The names of these types of batteries refer to the size and chemical composition of the battery. Thus, the AA batteries are longer and have a bigger diameter, meaning they are thicker compared to an AAA battery. Both above-mentioned batteries have a cylindrical shape.
AA and AAA batteries are found both under a single use form, which cannot be reused after utilization, but also as accumulators, meaning rechargeable batteries. The latter ones are more economical in the long term and are more environmentally friendly.
Nota bene
For our personal safety and our electronic devices, always pay attention to the following aspects when using batteries:
When inserting batteries in an electronic device, we have to make sure we follow the instructions regarding polarity, meaning under no circumstances should we insert batteries the other way around. AA and AAA batteries have both visible and tactile indicators in order to determine the poles. The positive pole is marked with a plus, while the negative pole has a minus sign next to it. Also, the negative pole is flat, while the positive pole is protruding or sticking out, shaped like a button. In the case of devices, the polarity is also shown through the same visual signs, meaning plus and minus. Through touch you can find them like this: the negative pole of the device has a metallic spring or another metallic protuberance, while the positive one has a metallic flat piece attached to it. Briefly, the insertion of batteries in an electronic device is done as follows: the negative pole of the battery, meaning the flat side, has to match the negative pole of the device, meaning the spring or other metallic part which sticks out. The positive pole of the battery, the stretched-out side, has to touch the flat metallic part of the device, meaning the less obvious metallic strip or plate.
It is very important not to mix both old and new batteries while using them to power a device, as it is highly probable that the device would not be able to function properly. Moreover, a lot of energy is being wasted because there is a tendency to seek balance, meaning equilibrium, the stronger batteries trying to recharge the weaker batteries, but to no avail.
To conclude, the AA and AAA batteries are the most popular. For this reason, they have the advantage of being very convenient to buy, as you can find them in the majority of shops and retail spaces. When wanting to buy batteries for a device, we must keep in mind that the AA batteries, meaning double-A, are longer and thicker than the AAA ones, meaning the triple-A.
Did you know that the batteries contain chemical substances that can harm our health? This is why we should never destroy batteries using mechanical force. The intentional cracking of a battery can lead to serious consequences; chemical burns and even fires can occur.
There are special places where used batteries are collected. We must take care of ourselves, of the environment, as well as other people, so we should bring the used batteries to the specialized recycling facilities in order for them to be properly disposed of and recycled later on.
Bibliography
- https://www.snrb.org/articol/52/afla-totul-despre-baterii/
- https://www.academia.edu/30136872/Performan%C8%9Ba_electrochimic%C4%83_%C8%99i_propriet%C4%83%C8%9Bile_chimice_ale_materialelor_oxidice_precum_bateriile_Li_ion_re%C3%AEnc%C4%83rcabile
- https://shopniac.ro/tipuri-baterii-acumulatori-reincarcabili-11589/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_sizes#Standardization
- https://www.magazinbaterel.ro/stiati-ca
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