Source of Electric Flow
All sources of electricity that can generate a constant current of electricity at a particular time and direction are called one-way power sources. The current source of electricity is divided into four types.
1. Electrochemical Elements
The electrochemical element is the source of the current flow from the chemical process. In this element there is a transformation of chemical energy into electrical energy. The electrochemical element can be distinguished by its length of use as follows.
a. Primary Element
Primary elements are direct current power sources that require replacement of materials after use. Examples of primary elements are as follows:
The voltaic element is a kind of ancient battery created by Alesandro Volta .. The voltaic element is still applied today. Although the shape has been modified. The voltaic element consists of 2 electrodes of different metals which are dipped in an acidic liquid or a salt solution. In ancient times, acid or salt liquid in the form of cloth dipped in a salt / acid solution.
The inventor of the daniel element is John Frederic Daniell. The Daniell element is an element whose electromotive force is rather prolonged due to a depolarisator. Depolarisator is a substance that can inhibit the polarization of hydrogen gas. The depolarisator in this element is a copper (sulfate) solution.
There are two types of Leclanche elements, namely dry and wet elements, consisting of two glass vessels containing:
carbon sticks as a positive pole (anode)
zinc rod as negative pole (cathode)
Batu kawi as depolarisator
ammonium chloride solution as an electrolyte
Dry element is a source of electric current that is made from dry materials that cannot be refilled (disposable). This element is a primary element. Examples of dry elements include, stone batteries and silver oxide batteries (batteries for watches). Materials for positive poles are used carbon rods, and for negative poles are used zinc plates.
b. Secondary Element
The secondary element is an electric current source that does not require the replacement of reagents (elements) after the current source is used up. This source can be reused after being re-energized (recharged or electrocuted).
Examples of secondary elements are accumulators (batteries). An accumulator is a power source that can produce a direct current voltage (DC). The working principle of the aumulator is based on chemical processes.
Simply stated, the working principle of the accumulator can be explained as follows.
Usage, When the accumulator is used, there is a release of energy from the accumulator to the lamp. In this event, an electric current flows from the positive pole to the negative pole plate. After the accumulator is used for a while, the negative and positive polar plates will be coated with sulfate. This causes the potential difference between the two poles to be the same and the two poles to be neutral.
Charging, After the two poles are neutral and the current does not flow, we must shock the battery so that it can be reused. When the battery is stunned, the direction of the current is opposite to when it was used, from the negative to the positive pole.