What is the internal resistance of a battery?

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SUMMARY

The internal resistance of a battery is a definitive characteristic that affects its performance, particularly in terms of voltage drop and heat generation during current flow. The relationship between voltage and current can be quantified using the formula R = (V0 - VI)/I, where V0 is the open-circuit voltage and VI is the terminal voltage under load. This resistance originates from the interactions of electrons with the electrolyte and the internal components of the battery. In dry-cell batteries, the flow of electrons is directly linked to the chemical changes occurring within the cell, indicating that these processes are interconnected.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical concepts, including voltage and current.
  • Familiarity with battery chemistry, particularly dry-cell batteries.
  • Knowledge of Ohm's Law and resistance calculations.
  • Experience with measuring voltage and current in electrical circuits.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical reactions occurring in dry-cell batteries.
  • Learn about the effects of temperature on battery performance and internal resistance.
  • Explore methods for measuring internal resistance in various types of batteries.
  • Investigate advanced battery technologies and their internal resistance characteristics.
USEFUL FOR

Electronics engineers, battery researchers, and anyone involved in the design or analysis of battery systems will benefit from this discussion.

Sakhawat Hossain
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Does a battery really have any internal resistance? If it has then what's the origin of the resistance.
We know that the electrons flow from negative to positive terminal of a battery. Do the electrons just end up releasing energy(such as heat) at the terminal/ or combines with the atoms of the electrolytes available there/ or they move through the chemicals inside the battery between two opposite poles?
 
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Sakhawat Hossain said:
Does a battery really have any internal resistance? If it has then what's the origin of the resistance.
We know that the electrons flow from negative to positive terminal of a battery. Do the electrons just end up releasing energy(such as heat) at the terminal/ or combines with the atoms of the electrolytes available there/ or they move through the chemicals inside the battery between two opposite poles?
The voltage across the terminals decreases with increased current flow. The battery itself will get hot as it delivers current. This means there is an internal resistance.

By measuring voltage as a function of current, you can work out the resistance of the battery.R = (V_0 - V_I)/I where V0 is the voltage with 0 current and VI is the terminal voltage when delivering current I to a load.

AM
 
Then it means that the battery itself is a load and electrons flow through it.
Let's assume that, the battery used is a dry-cell battery. Now my question is:-
Does this electron-flow contribute to the chemical change that occurs inside a dry-cell battery? I mean, whether some of the electrons are drawn from the flow and account for the chemical change inside the cell. Or whether electron flow and chemical change inside the battery are distinct event (which may effect each other, but are not same).
 

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