3.2.2 Battery

Last updated at April 25, 2026 by

What is Battery?

It is formed when two or more electric cells are connected together .

Key Facts and Examples
  • Battery is made by connecting cells in proper order .
Example: Torch battery with 2 cells, car battery with 6 cells
  • Positive terminal of one cell connects to negative terminal of next cell .
Example: AA batteries in remote control, cells in torch
  • Single cell is also called battery in common language .
Example: Mobile phone battery, laptop battery, watch battery
  • Wrong arrangement of cells stops device from working .
Example: Torch with reversed cell, remote with wrong cell direction
Single Cell vs Battery Property Single Cell Battery Number One cell only Two or more cells Connection No connection needed Cells connected in series Common name Also called battery Multiple cells together Examples Mobile phone, watch Torch, car, laptop

Activity 3.3: Testing Cell Arrangement (Page 26)

What you need:

  • Torch which uses two cells

What to do:

  • Step 1: Take a torch which uses two cells
  • Step 2: Open its cell compartment and take out the cells
  • Step 3: Put the cells back in a different order
  • Step 4: Also, try reversing the direction of one cell
  • Step 5: Check if the lamp glows

Observations

What you see:

  • Lamp glows only when cells are in correct order
  • Lamp does not glow when one cell is reversed
  • Lamp does not glow when cells are in wrong arrangement

Why this happens:
We have studied that battery needs proper cell connection . This is why arrangement matters .

  • Current flows only when positive connects to negative
  • Wrong arrangement breaks the circuit
Cell Arrangement Results Correct Arrangement Wrong Arrangement + to - connection + to + connection Current flows No current flow Lamp glows Lamp does not glow

🌟 Fascinating Fact: The term battery is also used for a single cell. We use the term battery even for the single cell that powers our mobile phones.

Battery Usage in Daily Life Single Cell Battery Mobile phones, watches Multi-Cell Battery Torch, car, laptop Common Term Both called battery

Question (Page 31): How will you decide which is the positive terminal of this battery?

Answer:
We have studied that positive terminal has specific features . This is why we can identify it.

  • Look for + sign marked on battery
  • Positive terminal is small metal cap that sticks out
Identifying Battery Terminals Step 1 Look for + and - markings Step 2 Find small metal cap Step 3 Find flat metal disc Terminals identified!

Question (Page 31): Sometimes you may come across a device in which the cells are placed side by side. Then, how are the terminals of the cells connected?

Answer:
We have studied that cells must be connected properly for current flow . This is why side-by-side arrangement needs wires .

  • Positive terminal of one cell connects to negative terminal of other cell using wires
  • Connection maintains proper current flow even when cells are side by side
Cell Arrangements Feature End-to-End Side-by-Side Position One behind other Next to each other Connection Direct terminal contact Wires connect terminals Space Long narrow space Wide flat space Examples Torch, remote Some radios, toys
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