Electrical cell facts for kids
An electrical cell is a special device. It can either make electricity or use electricity to cause chemical reactions. Think of it as a small power factory! A battery is usually made up of one or more electrical cells connected together. These cells are also known as electrochemical cells.
How Cells Make Electricity
The first simple electrical cells were created in the 1800s. They are sometimes called galvanic cells. This name comes from an Italian scientist, Luigi Galvani, who helped invent them.
Inside these cells, special chemical reactions happen. These reactions change the substances inside the cell. This process then creates electrical energy. Most everyday batteries, like the ones in your remote control, work this way.
Not all electrical cells use chemical energy to make power. For example, solar cells are different. They produce electricity when they are hit by sunlight!
Imagine a simple cell made with two metal plates. One plate could be zinc and the other copper. If you put them into a solution that has a little acid or salt, something cool happens. This liquid acts like an electrolyte, which means it helps electricity move. When you connect the two plates with a wire, an electric current starts to flow! This happens because the metals react with the solution. The zinc plate becomes a negative electrode, and the copper plate becomes a positive electrode. Tiny electrons then flow from the zinc to the copper, creating electricity.
How Cells Use Electricity
Some chemical reactions need a lot of energy to happen. For example, breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen gas needs energy. An electrical cell can be used for these kinds of reactions. When used this way, it's called an "electrolytic cell."
This type of cell is a container where a chemical reaction takes place. It uses electrodes, which are like metal sticks. When you apply electrical power to the substances inside, a process called electrolysis begins. This process uses electricity to force chemical changes.
For example, you can put two pieces of metal into water. Add a little electrolyte like hydrochloric acid or sodium bicarbonate to help. When you apply an electric current, you'll see gas bubbles coming off each metal piece. This shows that the water is breaking down!
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