3. Batteries use chemical reactions to produce electricity, but how do the chemical reactions work? Chemicals used in batteries can do two things: i) release electrons (oxidation) ii) accept electrons (reduction)

4. How does the reaction actually produce electricity? When a reaction occurs, a chemical that gives off electrons and one that receives electrons come together and exchange particles. When this happens, the electrons gain energy. The faster the reaction occurs, the more energy the electrons receive and the higher the voltage.

5. What are the parts to the battery that produces the electricity. There are three main parts to a battery: the anode, the cathode,and the electrolyte. The anode is negative and electrons are given off (oxidation is occurring) and positive ions are being produced. The cathode is positive and electrons are gained (reduction is occurring) and negative ions are produced. The electrolyte allows positive and negative ions to flow back and forth.

6. Basically the chemical reactions in the battery produce electrons. The anode releases them and they travel through the circuit providing power to the load and then returning to the cathode. This process repeats itself over and over again. The faster it does this the higher the voltage. There are however two types of batteries: i) primary (when chemical reactions stop battery is dead) ii) secondary (when chemical reactions stop, battery can be recharged and can be used for a long time)

7. What is a primary battery? A primary battery is one that uses up all of its chemicals as it produces the electrons. When its chemicals are used up the process is irreversible and the battery is discarded. Zinc Carbon batteries are the most popular primary batteries. The cathode is a mixture of manganese dioxide paste and a carbon conductor. The anode is a zinc alloy can (The can also holds the chemicals inside the battery).

8. What is a secondary battery? A secondary battery is a battery that is rechargeable. When the chemical reactions stop the battery stops working, but the process can be reversed. This is done by running another power source through them to return the chemicals to their original state. Lead acid and Nicads are secondary batteries.