When we talk about batteries, we are actually discussing a magical chemical process - the principle of battery charging and discharging. This process may seem simple, but it contains rich scientific knowledge that not only affects various aspects of our daily lives, but also serves as a key driving force in the era of new energy. Today, we will explore the secrets of battery charging and discharging in a simple and understandable way.

The key to battery charging: the secret of chemical reactions

The 'magic' of batteries: electrochemical reactions

Simply put, battery charging is a process of storing energy. Imagine a battery is like a kettle, and when charging, it's the process of pouring water into the kettle. The 'water' here is actually electrical energy that enters the battery through a charger. From a more professional perspective, the energy storage inside the battery is achieved through chemical reactions. When you charge a battery, the electrical energy drives the chemical substances inside the battery to react, which converts the electrical energy into chemical energy and stores it in the battery.

Charging process: Under the action of external voltage, the electrons of the positive electrode material are forcibly snatched and reach the negative electrode material through the external circuit. At this point, the positive electrode material loses electrons and becomes positively charged and unstable, causing lithium (sodium) ions to be deintercalated through the electrolyte and continuously reach and embed in the negative electrode material to neutralize electrons. After saturation, the charging process is completed.

The Magic of Battery Discharge: The Release of Energy

When the battery is charged and the energy recipient (such as a mobile phone or electric vehicle) needs electricity, the battery enters discharge mode. The process of discharging is like pouring water out of a kettle, releasing stored energy. At this point, the metal ions that originally lost electrons at the positive electrode will "go home" through the electrolyte and recombine into metal, while the metal ions at the negative electrode will release electrons and be transmitted to the receiver through the circuit.

Discharge process: When the external circuit is connected, due to the unstable crystal structure of the negative electrode, lithium ions quickly detach and continuously return to the positive electrode through the electrolyte. At this point, electrons are driven from the negative electrode through an external circuit to reach the positive electrode and neutralize lithium ions, thus forming an electric current.

The process of charging and discharging can be vividly described using the "rocking chair" model. In this model, the positive and negative electrodes of the battery are like the two ends of a rocking chair, which constantly swings back and forth during the charging and discharging process.

During the discharge process, the chemical substances inside the battery will gradually be consumed. In this way, when the battery runs out of power, it's like the water in a kettle has already been emptied, and the 'magic' of the battery comes to an end. However, by replacing the battery or charging it, this process can cycle back and forth, providing a continuous source of power for our lives.