Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
A battery is two or more electrical cells connected together.
About Batteries
- Whenever two or more electrical cells are in the same circuit they are called a battery.
- A battery is made if two or more electrical cells are plugged in to the same device.
A 9V 'square' battery is made of 6 electrical cells. | The symbol for a battery. |
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A battery is more than two electrical cells, which each have a chemical potential energy store, connected together in an electrical device.
About Batteries
- A battery made from electrical cells connected in series gives a greater potential difference allowing it to provide a greater current.
- A battery made from identical electrical cells connected in parallel will have the same potential difference as one single cell but will last much longer as it has a greater store of chemical potential energy.
A 9V 'square' battery is made of 6 electrical cells. Each cell has a potential difference of 1.5V. | The symbol for a battery. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A battery is more than two electrical cells, which each have a chemical potential energy store, connected together in an electrical device.
About Batteries
- An battery is a source of direct current.
- A battery made from electrical cells connected in series gives a greater potential difference allowing it to provide a greater current.
- A battery made from identical electrical cells connected in parallel will have the same potential difference as one single cell but will last much longer as it has a greater store of chemical potential energy.