Car batteries have been powering modern vehicles for 150 years, with the lead-acid battery invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It would be a raw deal if we discussed car efficiency and ignored the batteries. These batteries are used to power car radios, starter motors, and everything in between.
Without these batteries, your car would be an immovable piece of metal. So do you know how a car battery works? What makes it work more efficiently and for longer? In this article, we will discuss how a car battery works.
What is a Car Battery?
Car batteries play a vital role in our cars. It provides the electrical energy required to start the car engine. Lead-acid batteries are commonly known as car batteries, which are mainly composed of lead plates that are immersed in acid, and then the entire device allows a chemical reaction to occur. During this reaction, the battery stores chemical energy and releases electrical energy to provide voltage and current. The car battery is the power storage center of the car. If the battery starts to fail, your car will not start, run, and drive. In addition, the battery is rechargeable, and when we expose it to electricity, it stores electrical energy, converts it into chemical energy, and charges the battery.
If you are a car owner, it is essential to understand how car batteries work because car batteries play a fundamental role in the functioning of our cars. They are indispensable.
What Does A Car Battery Look Like?
You can identify a battery by the two metal terminals on the top (or sometimes the side) of the battery. These terminals always represent the positive and negative terminals of the battery. It looks like a small box the size of a shoebox. In addition, the outer casing of a car battery is protected by plastic, which is usually heavy. The battery will usually also have the manufacturing date printed on the label. Most batteries have a lifespan of 3-5 years, depending on their use.
How Does A Car Battery Start The Car?
The way the battery charges when the engine is running is that the same current flows from the battery to the car's engine to start the car, and the reaction is reversible, which is why it can be started quickly when the battery is depleted. When you turn on the ignition of your vehicle, it sends a signal to the battery to start its chemical reaction, which powers the starter motor, which turns the engine. The alternator is the component responsible for providing most of the current to the car's electrical system. The power provided by the battery is then replaced by the alternator.
Why is a Battery Used in a Car?
A car battery acts like a surge protector, it provides power to the vehicle. Also, it is used to provide power for short-term use. So, let’s discuss the functions of a car battery:
Starting the engine: The most important function of car batteries is that they provide the initial power to start the engine. This power starts the combustion process and starts the car.
Starting the electrical system: In the case of the car engine being off, if you still need to turn on the air conditioning, wipers, or other features of the car, then the car battery will power the lights, radio, stereo, GPS, air conditioning, heater, and windows.
Stabilizing the power supply: The car battery provides power to different parts of the vehicle, it stabilizes the voltage in the electrical system.
Backup power: If your alternator fails or the engine stops working, the car battery is a blessing in disguise, it acts as a power backup and temporarily operates the car.
Electronic systems: Today’s advanced vehicles offer a variety of electronic systems that rely on a stable power supply from the car battery, these systems may include fuel injection, safety systems, and engine management.
Why Does A Battery Go Flat?
You should know that when you use your car battery to start the engine, the battery is drained of power all at once and recharged by the engine as you drive. The life of your battery depends on the type of travel you take and other common habits that can affect your battery. On average, a car battery lasts about five years (or more), but this ultimately depends on how well you take care of your battery. So if you take a lot of short trips, your battery won't have a chance to fully charge before you use it again, and will therefore degrade faster.
How Does a Car Battery Work?
A car battery provides power to multiple components, so how does it make everything work? You know, it is more than just a simple box with proper composition and mechanisms. Let’s discuss in detail how a car battery works.
1.The moment a car battery discharges, a chemical reaction occurs between the negative lead plates and the sulfuric acid electrolyte, at which point the lead plates become negatively charged and act as anodes. The general chemical reaction that occurs at the anode is that they react with sulfate ions (SO4^2-) in the electrolyte, and they release electrons Pb + SO4^2- → PbSO4 + 2e^-
Lead dioxide (PbO2) reacts with sulfate ions and water, as the positive lead plate acts as a cathode, they form lead sulfate and release electrons, which flow in the circuit and create an electric current. These currents power the car's electrical system. Therefore, the chemical reaction that occurs on this plate can be expressed as PbO2 + SO4^2- + 4H^+ + 2e^- → PbSO4 + 2H2O
2.Energy Conversion and Chemical Reactions Inside a Battery Cell
Car batteries undergo chemical reactions, and it is vital to understand how these reactions occur! These reactions cause the battery to discharge and charge, and these reactions occur in the battery when the lead plates interact with the electrolyte, which is sulfuric acid, so let’s understand these reactions and the proper working of the parts.
3. When we apply current from the outside, the negative lead plate also acts as the anode because the charging process is the opposite of discharging, and a reverse chemical reaction occurs during this process. It converts lead sulfate into lead and sulfate ions. At the same time, the electrons released during the discharge process are pushed back into the plate. So, here is a chemical equation PbSO4 + 2e^- → Pb + SO4^2- In addition, the positive plate (cathode) converts lead sulfate into lead oxide and water. It also absorbs electrons into the plate again. So, its chemical reaction is PbSO4 + 2H2O → PbO2 + SO4^2- + 4H^+ + 2e^- This process is effective in restoring the chemical composition of the lead plate, and in addition, it allows the battery to store electrical energy for later use.
How Long Does A Battery Last?
It is not possible to estimate the life of a battery directly, but generally a battery will last anywhere from 3 to 5 years if used and maintained regularly, so some batteries can last a long time if you take good care of and maintain the battery. Frequency of use, weather conditions, maintenance, and quality can all increase or decrease the life of a battery. Batteries can also fail before 3 years, they can fail, and one in 6 batteries can fail, and your car won't start. If your battery fails, has problems, or is older than 5 years, it is important to replace the battery as soon as possible. Here are some of the things that can happen when your battery fails:
Your car takes a long time to start after turning the key.
When you try to start the car, the lights on the dashboard flash, but the car won't start.
Your radio and headlights don't work.
When you open the door to start the car, the interior lights don't come on.
When the battery fails, your car will not be able to drive under its own power, and the best way to maintain your battery is to have it checked regularly and drive the car regularly to allow the alternator to charge the battery.
How To Protect Your Battery?
Climate, driving habits, electrical load on the car, proper maintenance, and battery quality are factors that affect battery life. You can protect your car battery and extend its life in a number of ways. Here are some suggestions:
If you don't use your car often, consider buying a charger for your battery
Always switch on all electronic systems in your vehicle (music system, windshield wipers, heater, etc.) when starting or parking your car
Make sure your terminal connections are free of debris and securely fastened
Don't drive too short distances and allow enough time for your car battery to charge properly
Avoid exposing your car to excessive heat in the summer - this can have a negative impact on your battery
