Question

how does a simple cell work​

Answer 1

Answer:

A simple cell can be made by connecting two different metals in contact with an electrolyte. A number of cells can be connected in series to make a battery , which has a higher voltage than a single cell. In non-rechargeable cells, eg alkaline cells, a voltage is produced until one of the reactants is used up

Explanation:

hope this helps

Answer 2

A simple cell can be made by connecting two different metals in contact with an electrolyte. A number of cells can be connected in series to make a battery, which has a higher voltage than a single cell.

In non-rechargeable cells, eg alkaline cells, a voltage is produced until one of the reactants is used up. When this happens, we say the battery ‘goes flat’.

In rechargeable cells and batteries, like the one used to power your mobile phone, the chemical reactions can be reversed when an external circuit is supplied.

What affects the voltage of a cell?

Here is a simple reactivity series:

Magnesium, zinc, copper and silver are ordered by reactivity, with Magnesium the most reactive and silver the least.

A simple reactivity series

If we connect different combinations of these metals to make a cell, we find that the voltage changes. In the below table, the positive electrodes and what they are made from are listed along the top and the negative electrodes along the side.

Magnesium    -2.37 Zinc -0.76 Copper +0.34

Magnesium  0.00 V 1.61 V          +2.71

Zinc         -1.61 V 0.00 V           +1.10 V

Copper          2.71 V -1.10 V           0.00 V

Swapping the two electrodes means that the recorded voltage becomes negative. The biggest voltage occurs when the difference in the reactivity of the two metals is the largest. A cell made from magnesium and copper has a higher voltage than either of the other two combinations.