Where to Buy United States About Energizer About Batteries How Batteries Work What is Inside a Battery Battery Chemistry Battery Leakage Battery History Battery Care No Leak Guarantee Battery FAQ How do batteries work? It’s not exactly magic … but it’s close. Think of a battery as a small power plant that converts a chemical reaction into electrical energy. Various dry cell (or alkaline) batteries can differ in several ways, but they all have the same basic components. For even more details, visit our What's Inside a Battery page or our Battery Chemistry page. Powering the device Let’s look at how batteries work to generate and send power to your favorite devices. More technical details can be found on our Battery Chemistry page Chemical Reacts The chemical reaction starts when you insert a battery into a device – and complete the circuit. Device Responds The electrolyte oxides the anode’s powered zinc. The cathode’s manganese dioxide/carbon mix reacts with the oxidized zinc to produce electricity. Voltage Drops Interaction between the zinc and the electrolyte produces reaction products, which gradually slows the cell’s action and lowers its voltage. Constructing the battery It’s easier to understand how batteries work when you see how they’re put together. Container —It all starts with an empty steel can – the battery container. Cathode Mix —Finely-ground powders of manganese dioxide and conductors that carry a naturally-occurring electrical charge are molded to the inside wall of the empty container. Separator —Separator paper is inserted to keep the cathode from touching the anode. Anode —The anode, which carries a negative electrical charge, plus potassium hydroxide electrolyte are then pumped into each container. Collector —The brass pin, which forms the negative current collector, is inserted into the battery, which is then sealed and capped. Power Compare Batteries Compare Chargers Battery History Battery Care How Do Batteries Work Lighting Lighting Finder Flashlight History Flashlight Care How Do Flashlights Work Responsibility Battery Recycling Coin Lithium Battery Safety Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries™ Preparedness Top 5 Ways to Prepare for a Power Outage About Energizer Innovation Sustainability Bunny Center Bunny Store Media Center Contact Us Energizer Holdings, Inc. Company History Locations Leadership Investor Relations Career Center Technical Info Privacy Policy Site Map © 2000-2021 Energizer. Energizer, Energizer Bunny design, and certain graphic designs are trademarks of Energizer Brands, LLC and related subsidiaries. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Please review our cookies disclosure statement for more information. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.