A battery is essentially two different materials, called plates or electrodes, which
are able to conduct electricity. In the space seperating these plates is a material
called an electrolyte.
One way to categorize batteries is by their types of electrolytes. Dry-cells, and
wet-cells, are the most common types.
The dry-cell is the type of battery used in many
flashlights, TV remote controls, wristwatches, small toys and even found on the computer
motherboard. The term dry-cell comes from the type or consistancy of the electrolyte.
In this case the electrolyte pasty chemical.
The wet-cell, as you may have figured out by not, uses a wet
electrolyte, or liquid electrolyte. One of the most commonly used wet-cell batteries
on the market today is the lead-acid battery. It is used in larger equipment including
automobiles, motorcycles and forklifts. The acid in a lead-acid battery is sulfuric acid.
Sulfuric acid is VERY dangerous and must be handled using proper safety precautions.
In this book we will not be working with strong acids, including sulfuric acid, and the
dangers associated with those chemicals.
