Why do electrons flow against their nature in a battery?

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Electrons in a battery flow against their natural tendency from lower to higher potential, which increases their potential energy, a phenomenon described by electromotive force (EMF). EMF is generated through chemical reactions, such as galvanic action, and is distinct from the process of charging, which involves an external current in rechargeable batteries. As electrons move through the circuit, they lose energy when crossing resistances, resulting in a potential difference (PD) between points. While EMF specifically refers to the voltage generated by sources like batteries, PD is a broader term applicable in various contexts. Understanding these concepts clarifies the dynamics of electron flow and energy transformation in electrical circuits.
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Electrons naturally flow from lower to higher potential but inside a battery electrons flow against their nature so that's why their potential energy increases that's what EMF is(energy given per coulomb)right?EMF is always of source i.e battery. And battery such as galvanic cell does so by using chemical energy.right?And this is called charging .And then electron spends all these energy throughout the circuit while crossing resistance and at last returns to battery again with all potential energy used up.This process is called discharging .right?
 
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gracy said:
Electrons naturally flow from lower to higher potential but inside a battery electrons flow against their nature so that's why their potential energy increases that's what EMF is(energy given per coulomb)right?EMF is always of source i.e battery. And battery such as galvanic cell does so by using chemical energy.right?And this is called charging .And then electron spends all these energy throughout the circuit while crossing resistance and at last returns to battery again with all potential energy used up.This process is called discharging .right?
This chemical reaction that gives rise to the EMF is not referred to here as charging. You could call it galvanic action, or an oxidation reaction that liberates electrons.

Charging (also known as recharging) occurs when the reversible reaction in a secondary cell proceeds under the application of an externally-sourced current.

One small but important quibble is that the electrons originating in the cell don't zip around the circuit to quickly return to the positive terminal. They meander along at a surprisingly slow average speed, jostling and pushing ahead of them some of the electrons already present in the conductive wires. A particular electron that leaves the negative terminal may never make it back to the positive terminal; an electron from one of the wires may happily take its place instead.
 
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NascentOxygen said:
This chemical reaction that gives rise to the EMF is not referred to here as charging. You could call it galvanic action, or an oxidation reaction that liberates electrons.

Charging (also known as recharging) occurs when the reversible reaction in a secondary cell proceeds under the application of an externally-sourced current.

One small but important quibble is that the electrons originating in the cell don't zip around the circuit to quickly return to the positive terminal. They meander along at a surprisingly slow average speed, jostling and pushing ahead of them some of the electrons already present in the conductive wires. A particular electron that leaves the negative terminal may never make it back to the positive terminal; an electron from one of the wires may happily take its place instead.
ok just don't take it as recharging and discharging but is this difference between EMF and PD(Voltage)?
Electrons naturally flow from lower to higher potential but inside a battery electrons flow against their nature so that's why their potential energy increases that's what EMF is(energy given per coulomb)
.And then electron spends all these energy throughout the circuit while crossing resistance .Whenever they(electrons)cross any resistance their potential energy decreases so this causes potential difference between two points across the resistance.
So source such as battery provides energy in the form of EMF and then this energy is being used while crossing resistance which results in potential difference.
 
gracy said:
ok just don't take it as recharging and discharging but is this difference between EMF and PD(Voltage)?
EMF is a term usually applied to the voltage generated by a battery, alternator, PV solar cell, electric eel, thunderstorm cloud, etc. PD is a general term you can use anywhere.
 
NascentOxygen said:
EMF is a term usually applied to the voltage generated by a battery, alternator, PV solar cell, electric eel, thunderstorm cloud, etc. PD is a general term you can use anywhere.
What about my post 3 is it right?
 
gracy said:
What about my post 3 is it right?
Yes.

While we'll often represent current as flowing through a battery to complete the circuit's electrical loop, remember in a chemical cell it is ions that are migrating through the solutions, not free electrons.
 
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NascentOxygen said:
Yes.

While we'll often represent current as flowing through a battery to complete the circuit's electrical loop, remember in a chemical cell it is ions that are migrating through the solutions, not free electrons.
Thanks a lot.You cleared all my doubt.
 

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