Engineering Review Topic of the day.

BATTERIES...bundles of energy

WHAT IS A CAR BATTERY?

A Typical car Battery

An automotive battery is a physical reserve of energy within the autombile system. The battery is usually charged by an alternator — a device that converts the mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. This energy is then used to prompt reactions within the electrolyte of the battery, which is most commonly composed of lead oxide plates submerged in a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. When a car battery is in use, the sulfuric acid reacts with the lead oxide plates, to form lead sulfate. Recharging the battery involves reversing this reaction. In this way, the car battery is able to store energy chemically.

The car battery is used to power up a car during ignition and provide energy for the lighting system. In petrol engines, it is also used to ignite the fuel; petrol engines, therefore, can not work without these auto batteries. Diesel engines may work without batteries, if the initial electrical energy is provided at ignition. Nowadays, the car battery is also being used to provide traction energy for the electric vehicles.