Electric cells: Introduction

• An electric cell converts chemical energy into electrical energy
• Two metal electrodes are dipped into an electrolyte
• During the chemical reaction that takes place in the cell
• One electrode loses electrons and
• The other electrode gains electrodes
• This then results in a positive terminal and
• A negative terminal on the cell
• If a circuit of conducting wires is connected between the two electrodes
• A current will flow

A simple electric cell. Showing basic components

• The electrodes must be different (i.e. made of two different metals)
• For an electric current to flow in the circuit
• The difference between the electrodes gives a potential difference (voltage)
• Which pushes electrons around the circuit from one electrode to another

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