How Do Lithium Batteries Power Our Devices?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter student85
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Batteries Cell Laptop
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the functioning of lithium batteries, comparing their use in devices like laptops and cell phones, and exploring the chemical processes involved in energy storage and recharging. Participants also touch on the materials used in batteries and the reasons for lithium's prevalence in modern battery technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether lithium batteries operate similarly to capacitors in parallel configurations.
  • One participant explains that batteries are chemical devices that rely on reactions between materials to produce voltage and current, and that reversing the reaction allows for recharging.
  • It is noted that laptop and cell phone batteries are typically the same type of lithium-ion battery.
  • Some participants assert that capacitors are not used for energy storage in batteries, although small capacitors may exist in associated circuitry.
  • A participant praises an explanation of how cell phone batteries work, asking for further clarification on why lithium is a core component in modern batteries and what properties allow it to store energy effectively.
  • Another participant suggests that the choice of materials for batteries involves considerations beyond chemical properties, such as cost and environmental usability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the chemical nature of batteries and the similarities between laptop and cell phone batteries. However, there are differing views on the role of capacitors and the factors influencing material selection for batteries, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved in these areas.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about the chemical processes involved in battery operation and the properties of lithium, which may not be universally accepted or fully explored in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring battery technology, chemistry students, and those curious about the practical applications of lithium in energy storage systems.

student85
Messages
138
Reaction score
0
How do these batteries work? Are they simply capacitors being connected in a parallel configuration?
What is the difference between a laptop and a cell phone battery?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Batteries are chemical devices. A battery contains different materials which react with a characteristic voltage. The ability to produce a current is determined by the amount of un-reacted materials present. When all (or most) of the material has undergone the reaction, no current can be produced..The battery is dead.

By applying a reverse voltage the direction of the reaction can be reversed, thus restoring the original composition and the ability to produce a current. The battery has been recharged.
 
Laptop and cell phone batteries are typically the same type of lithium ion battery.
 
Thanks guys.
So no capacitors involved?
 
No caps are used for energy storage. There will be some small ones in any an board circuitry associated with the battery.
 
Thanks Integral.
Btw, what is your profession? How do you guys know the answers to all problems??
I'm quite amazed by all the smart people on this site :P
I love this site :P
 
Answers to ALL questions. :smile: That won't happen!

The mentors on this site have degrees in either science or Engineering. Mine are Physics and Math. For now, I am a Technican working in a wafer fab.
 
Hey Integral,

I don't mean to barge in, but you seem to be quite knowledgeable with batteries and the like so would you mind quickly poking over to my thread (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=246208) and telling me if I'm on the right track as far as batteries are concerned? Thanks! :)
 
Integral said:
Batteries are chemical devices. A battery contains different materials which react with a characteristic voltage. The ability to produce a current is determined by the amount of un-reacted materials present. When all (or most) of the material has undergone the reaction, no current can be produced..The battery is dead.

By applying a reverse voltage the direction of the reaction can be reversed, thus restoring the original composition and the ability to produce a current. The battery has been recharged.
This might be the single best explanation of how cell phone batteries work that I have ever read. You concisely break down how they expend energy to power the phone, and you also explain how they are able to recharge in an easy-to-understand manner. Bravo to you!

Can you explain why lithium seems to be the core component of most modern batteries? What about the element allows it to store so much energy?
 
  • #10
DrGeek said:
This might be the single best explanation of how cell phone batteries work that I have ever read. You concisely break down how they expend energy to power the phone, and you also explain how they are able to recharge in an easy-to-understand manner. Bravo to you!

Can you explain why lithium seems to be the core component of most modern batteries? What about the element allows it to store so much energy?

You may need to ask in a new thread as this may be in violation of our necroposting policy (this thread is 3 years old).

One thing you may also want to consider is that it's not always what is the best chemical or element for the job when it comes to things like these. You have to consider how much it costs to acquire the material, whether or not it's really usable in the environment it needs to be used in, etc.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How do I know the lithium content of a lithium-ion battery?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
High School How does charging and depleting a battery makes it last longer?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Direct and alternating current, a personal approach to understand them
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How to make a custom UPS using an old PC power supply and 18650 batteries?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Manually charging batteries
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Safe to charge a Lithium Battery with a Voltage Limit?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Laptop suggestions for a Physics Student
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Connect parallel batteries with wrong poles
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
"Magic" AA batteries in a home device?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Identical Batteries in Parallel do not Draw Same Current, Non-Ideal?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K