United States About Energizer Power Lighting Responsibility Promotions How Do Batteries Work? About Batteries How Do Batteries Work? Battery History Battery Care Battery Leakage FAQ Ever wonder how that little battery powers your favorite devices? We give you an inside look at how alkaline batteries work. You can 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. Battery Parts Container A steel can housing the cell’s ingredients to form the cathode, a part of the electrochemical reaction. Cathode Manganese dioxide mixture and carbon. Cathodes are the electrodes reduced by the electrochemical reaction. Separator A non-woven, fibrous fabric that separates the electrodes. Anode Powered zinc metal. Anodes are the electrodes that are oxidized. Electrodes Where the electrochemical reaction takes place. Electrolyte A potassium hydroxide solution in water. The electrolyte is the medium for the movement of ions within the cell and carries the iconic current inside the battery. Collector A brass pin in the middle of the cell that conducts electricity to the outside circuit. Constructing The Battery Container It all starts with an empty steel can – the battery container. Cathode Mix A cathode mix – finely ground powders of manganese dioxide and conductors carrying a naturally-occurring electrical charge – is molded to the inside wall of the empty container. Separator A separator paper is inserted to keep the cathode from touching the anode. Separator A separator paper is inserted to keep the cathode from touching the anode. Anode The anode, which carries a negative electrical charge, and 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. Powering The Device 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. Power Lighting Responsibility Promotions Bunny Center Science Center About Energizer About Energizer Technical Info Media Center Career Center Privacy Policy Legal Contact Us Site Map © 2000-2015 Energizer Energizer, Energizer Bunny design and other marks are trademarks of Energizer. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.