Why do electrons flow against their nature in a battery?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electrons in a battery, particularly focusing on the concepts of electromotive force (EMF) and potential difference (PD). Participants explore the nature of electron flow, the chemical reactions involved in battery operation, and the distinctions between charging and discharging processes.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that electrons flow from lower to higher potential inside a battery, which they argue increases their potential energy, defining EMF as the energy given per coulomb.
  • Others clarify that the chemical reaction responsible for EMF is not referred to as charging, suggesting terms like galvanic action or oxidation reaction instead.
  • It is noted that charging occurs when a reversible reaction in a secondary cell is driven by an external current.
  • Some participants point out that electrons do not travel quickly back to the positive terminal, instead meandering slowly and pushing other electrons already present in the conductive wires.
  • There is a question raised about the difference between EMF and PD, with some participants indicating that EMF is specific to sources like batteries, while PD is a more general term.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their previous post, which is affirmed by another participant.
  • It is mentioned that in a chemical cell, ions migrate through the solutions rather than free electrons, which is a clarification of the current flow representation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of EMF and PD, but there remains some contention regarding the terminology used for charging and discharging processes. The discussion includes multiple viewpoints on the behavior of electrons and the nature of current flow in batteries.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on specific definitions and assumptions about electron behavior and chemical reactions, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion does not resolve all uncertainties regarding the terminology and processes involved.

gracy
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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.
 
Last edited:
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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