Cell in Series and Parallel

Battery Cells

Battery is an electrical element where electrical potential is produced due to chemical reaction. Every
electrochemical reaction has its limit of producing electric potential difference between two
electrodes.

A dry-cell battery uses an immobilized electrolyte that minimizes moisture and allows for
superior portability.

Key Points

o A battery contains electrochemical cells that can store chemical energy to be converted
to electrical energy.
o A dry-cell battery stores energy in an immobilized electrolyte paste, which minimizes the
need for water.
o Common examples of dry-cell batteries include zinc-carbon batteries and alkaline
batteries.

Terms

electrolyte

A substance that, in solution or when molten, ionizes and conducts electricity.

anode

The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs.

cathode

The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs.

Defining a Dry Cell

In electricity, a battery is a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored
chemical energy into electrical energy. The dry cell is one of many general types of electrochemical
cells.

A dry cell has the electrolyte immobilized as a paste, with only enough moisture in it to allow current
to flow. Unlike a wet cell, a dry cell can operate in any orientation without spilling, as it contains no
free liquid. This versatility makes it suitable for portable equipment. By comparison, the first wet-cell
batteries were typically fragile glass containers with lead rods hanging from an open top. They,
therefore, needed careful handling to avoid spillage. The development of the dry-cell battery allowed
for a major advance in battery safety and portability.

A common dry-cell battery is the zinc-carbon battery, which uses a cell that is sometimes called the
Leclanch cell. The cell is made up of an outer zinc container, which acts as the anode. The cathode
is a central carbon rod, surrounded by a mixture of carbon and manganese(IV) dioxide (MnO2). The
electrolyte is a paste of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). A fibrous fabric separates the two electrodes,
and a brass pin in the center of the cell conducts electricity to the outside circuit.

A zinc-carbon dry-cell battery

An illustration of a zinc-carbon dry cell. In it, a zinc casing acts as the anode, surrounding a carbon
rod, which acts as a cathode. Between them, the electrolyte paste works as the battery.

Batteries in Series and Parallel

Batteries are the power suppliers in any circuit. These battery are connect to each other to match
our desired voltage.There are three ways to connect the circuit either in series, parallel or both.

Batteries in Series
When cells are connected in series with each other and they are all connected in the same direction
the total potential difference supplied to the circuit is the individual potential differences added
together.

Batteries connected in series have negative terminal of one cell connected to positive terminal of
another and vice verse as shown in figure. By connecting these cells in series the total voltage is
increased whereas the capacity of each remains the same.
Here there are four cells connected in series of 1.5 V. Since cells are connected in series the total
voltage is 1.5 V + 1.5 V + 1.5 V + 1.5 V = 6 V. But the capacity does not vary. If v1,v2,v3.....vn are the
voltages applied in the series then the total voltage is given by
v = v1 + v2 + v3 + ..... + vn.
When connecting your batteries in Series you are doubling the voltage while maintaining the same
capacity rating (amp hours). This might be used in a scooter, Power Wheels kids vehicle, or other
applications. Just use a jumper wire between the negative of the first battery and the positive of the
second battery. Run your negative wire off of the open connector from the first battery and your
positive off of the open connector on your second battery.

Batteries in Parallel

When identical cells are in parallel with each other the total potential difference supplied to the
circuit is equal to the potential difference of just one of the cells.

Batteries connected in parallel are quite contrary to the series circuit. They have positive terminal
connected to the positive terminal of the other and the negative terminal of one end of the battery
connected to negative terminal of another cell.
In the above figure the batteries are said to be connected in parallel because positive terminal of one
cell is connected to positive terminal of another. There are two batteries of V . Since cells are
connected in series the overall voltage will be 3 V. But how ever the over all capacity will be equal to
that of capacity of one cell.If v1,v2,v3.....vn are the voltages applied in the series then the total voltage
is given by
1v= 1v1 + 1v2 + 1v3 + ..... + 1vn
Connecting in Parallel
When connecting in Parallel you are doubling the capacity (amp hours) of the battery while
maintaining the voltage of one of the individual batteries. This would be used in applications such as
laptop batteries, some scooters, some ups backups, etc. Use a jumper wire between the positives of
both batteries and another jumper wire between the negatives of both batteries. Connect your
positive and negative wires to the same battery to run to your application.

Cell in Series and Parallel

Some times depending up on the requirement batteries can be connected in both series and parallel.
Consider the following example:
In the above example there are four 6V batteries. In which two 6V batteries are connected in series.
And these series connection are connected in parallel.The series voltage will be 12V. Now these
series battery having 12 Volts are connected in parallel.So the over all voltage will be 6 V.This is all
about batteries connected in series and in parallel.

http://www.tutorvista.com/physics/cells-in-series-and-in-parallel

http://physicsnet.co.uk/a-level-physics-as-a2/current-electricity/circuits/

http://www.electrical4u.com/series-parallel-battery-cells/

http://www.zbattery.com/Connecting-Batteries-in-Series-or-Parallel

Source: Boundless. Dry Cell Battery. Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 08 Mar. 2016. Retrieved 14
Mar. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-
textbook/electrochemistry-18/batteries-131/dry-cell-battery-522-4864/