Electric Cell: Introduction, Working Principle, and Uses

An electric cell is a component that drives the electrical charge in an electric circuit. The electric cell performs work on the electric charge and during this process, the cell constantly keeps losing the energy stored inside of it. This is the reason why cells get discharged eventually after being used for a certain amount of time. The main function of an electric cell is to provide electrical energy to an electric device.

In this article, we will explain the meaning of an electric cell, the concept and working principle of an electric cell, and the different uses of a cell across the everyday spectrum. Please keep reading to learn more about the electrical cell and its working process.

What Is an Electric Cell?

An electric cell is a cylindrical component which has a metal cap at the top and a flat surface at the bottom. If you observe an electric cell closely, you will find the side of the cell that has a metal cap and is marked as positive, that is, with a ‘+’ sign, which means that this is the positive terminal of the electric cell. Similarly, if you observe the side of the electric cell with the flat side, you will see a negative sign marked there, that is, a ‘-’ sign, representing the negative terminal of the electric cell. 

When you connect the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the electric cell to the respective points of a bulb and then flip the switch on, you will see the bulb glow. The bulb will glow as long as the electric charge is supplied by the electric cell. Once the electrical energy being supplied by the chemicals inside the cell diminishes, the electric cell will lose the ability to produce any more electric charge and this will cause the bulb to stop glowing. The electric cell will then have to be replaced with a new cell.

Composition of An Electric Cell

A standard electric cell usually has several chemicals accommodated inside of it. The electric charge that is produced comes from these chemicals that are present inside the cell. Basically, the main function of an electric cell is the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. The body of a cell is made up of a metallic cylindrical shell. Each electric cell has an electrode and an electrolyte.

Electrodes are solid components that are fabricated from materials that take part and also induce chemical reactions within the cell. An electrolyte is a liquid component, usually a solution of different chemicals that react with the electrode. 

Working Principle of An Electric Cell

In this article, we will explain to you how a cell is able to constantly force the electrical charge onto the electric circuit. Let us look at a very simple example of a torch. It is a common household electrical device used to illuminate the surroundings in a dark environment. There is a bulb present at the front of the torch which produces light upon switching on the device. This bulb receives electrical energy from the electric cell that is present inside the torch.

The process of decomposition of these chemicals that result in chemical reactions is called electrolysis. Electrolysis is responsible for the generation of electrical charges inside the electric cell. This process makes the positive charges from the positive terminal flow to the negative terminal. This flow of charges is called an electric current. The negative charges from the negative terminal then flow back to the positive terminal thereby completing a closed cycle. This is called a circuit. A circuit has to be closed and complete for the electrical charges to flow.

Different Uses of An Electric Cell

Electric cells are used across a multitude of common everyday devices like remote controls, torches, desk clocks, alarm clocks, wall clocks, transistor radios, cameras, several types of toys, etc. An electric car is another good example of a large-scale electrical device in the automotive field, where a complex electric cell or a combination of several complex electric cells arranged in a particular manner is used to power the car. 

The electric cell in an electric car also needs to be charged or changed from time to time to ensure that the chemicals inside the cell keep supplying a constant electrical charge to run the car. The electric cells in electric vehicles are used in many different combinations for different purposes. Electricity-based transportation systems will be very popular and in high demand in the near future.

Electric cells based on chemicals stored inside them are being thought of and also officially proposed on a global scale as a very sustainable source of energy for future use.

We hope that this article on the introduction to an electric cell has proven to be helpful to you and has provided valuable insight into this topic. Always remember that understanding the basic concepts and principles is the first thing that must be done when studying any topic or chapter of any subject.

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