How Do AA Rechargeable Batteries Work?
Basic Function The battery works by creating the movement of charged particles, which is usually just called electric current. This is created by the electrochemical reactions between two electrodes, the cathode (positive terminal) and the anode (negative terminal). These two electrodes are not in physical contact, as that would cause a short circuit. Instead, the circuit is formed by a medium called an electrolyte. What makes battery designs different is the specific electrochemistry used: what the cathode, anode and the electrolyte medium are made of are different for every battery type. This is the heart of battery design, and much more important in categorizing them than details like what their casings look like. Alkaline Batteries Some AA batteries are of the zinc-manganese type. These are usually not rechargeable, and trying to recharge a non-rechargeable battery of this kind will rupture the casing and spill out dangerous potassium hydroxide fluid. This is why it is very importa
