How does a dry cell battery work, in terms of chemistry?
The MnO2 would like to take electrons from the Zn much the same way that a bully would like to take someones lunch money. The problem for MnO2 is that it is not touching the Zn. The MnO2 is touching the graphite electrode and is trying to pull off the graphite electrons. Graphite is tougher than Zn and will not give up electrons but there is a tug. The graphite makes the positive electrode of the cell. On the Zn side, the Zn is the electrode and the electrons are not held very well by Zn. So the Zn electrode has pressure of electrons wanting to leave and the graphite electrode has suction that wants more electrons. The pressure difference can be measured as 1.5 volts. Volts are used to measure electrical pressure. When a light bulb or something is connected then electrons from the Zn electrode have a path to go to the graphite electrode. The graphite is willing to give electrons to MnO2 because it can get them back from the Zn through the circuit. Also when the Zn electrode loses 2 ele
