Why formula for internal resistance for charging battery v = e + Ir

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SUMMARY

The formula for internal resistance in a charging battery is expressed as v = e + Ir, where v is the terminal voltage, e is the electromotive force (emf), I is the current, and r is the internal resistance. When charging, the direction of current flow is towards the positive terminal, resulting in a positive voltage drop across the internal resistance. This contrasts with discharging, where the current flows towards the negative terminal, leading to a negative voltage drop. Understanding these directional differences clarifies why the internal resistance is added to the emf during charging.

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  • Understanding of electromotive force (emf)
  • Knowledge of internal resistance in batteries
  • Familiarity with conventional current flow
  • Basic principles of electric potential and energy
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Homework Statement



Why is the formula for internal resistance for a charging battery v = e + Ir?

When the battery is supplying I to the circuit I understand why the terminal voltage, V, equals emf - IR (voltage lost by internal resistance), but if a battery is charging, why is the voltage lost by internal resistance being added to the ideal voltage, e? The resistance is still there right, even if it is charging, so shouldn't the sign in front of Ir still be negative?
 
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Consider the direction of the current flowing in each case. What's the direction of the resulting voltage drop across the internal resistor in each case?
 
In the first case if we use conventional current, the positive charges will be flowing toward the negative terminal. In the second case the positive charges will be flowing toward the positive terminal. (positive charges spontaneously move towards the terminal of lower electric potential). In the first case the positive charges are moving spontaneously toward the negative terminal (delta electric potential or voltage = - and delta PE = - ), but in the second case, energy is required to move the positive charges toward the positive terminal, resulting in delta electric potential or voltage to be positive and delta PE to be positive. That makes sense because you are storing electric energy into potential energy to be used at a later time which is what charging a battery is. So voltage drop is -ve in the first case and +ve in the second case. I'm still having some trouble seeing how this connects with the change in sign in the formula for terminal voltage?
 
It's really very simple. Draw the two cases and note the directions of the potential drop on the internal resistance.
 

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